The Pulaskian., 1916-12-15

BeTIIn.-FOlIOWluS IS the text or the note addressed by Germany and her allies to the hostile governments:
 'In the midst of the most terrific war ever experienced in history, which has been raging for the last two years and half over large part of the world-a catastrophe which thousands of years of common civilization was unable to prevent, and which injures the most precious achievements of humanity, our aims are not to shatter nor annihilate our adversaries.
 Tn spite of our consciousness of our military and economic strength and our readiness to continue the war (which has been forced upon us) to the bitter end, if necessary; at the same time prompted by the desire to avoid further bloodshed and make an end to the atrocities of war, the four allied central powers propose to enter forthwith into peace negotia- tions. The propositions which they bring forward for such negotiations, and which have for their object guar antee of the existence of the honor and liberty of evolution for their na- tions, are, according to their firm be- lief, an appropriate basis for the es- tablishment of lasting peace.
 'The four allied powers have been obliged to take up arms to defend jus tice and the liberty of national eyolu- tions. The glorious deeds of our ar mics have in no way altered their purpose. We always maintained the firm belief that our own rights and justified claims in no way control the rights of these nations.
 The spiritual and material prog ress which were the pride of Europe at the beginning of the twentieth cen tury are threatened with ruin. Ger many and her allies, Austria Hungary, Bulgaria and Turkey, gave proof of their unconquerable strength in this struggle. They gained gigantic ad vantages over adversaries superior in number and war material Our lines
 
 attempts made by armies.
 "The last attack in the Balkans has been rapidly and victoriously over come. The most recent events have demonstrated that further continuance of the war will not result in breaking the resistance of our forces, and the whole situation with regard to our troops justifies our expectation of fur ther successes.
 eff, in spite of this offer of peace and reconciliation the struggle should go on, the four allied powers are re- solved to continue to victorious end; but they disclaim responsibility for this before humanity and history. The imperial government, through the good offices of your excellency, ask the government of (here is inserted the name of the neutral power ad- dressed in each instance) to bring this communication to the knowledge of the government of (here are in serted the names of the belligerents).
 After reading the note the chancel- Tor said:
 Gentlemen, in August, 1914, our en- emies challenged the superiority of the power in the world war. Today we raise the question of peace, which is question of humanity. We await the answer of our enemies with that se- reneness of mind which is guaranteed to us by our exterior and interior strength and by our clear conscience. If our enemies decline to end the war, if they wish to take upon themselves the worlds heavy burden of all these l terrors which hereafter will follow, then even in the least and smallest homes every German heart will burn in sacred wrath against our enemies, who are unwilling to stop human slaughter, in order that their plans of conquest and annihilation may con tinue.
 "In Hateful hour we took a fatefu1 decision. God will be the judge. We casl proceed upon our way without fear and unashamed We are ready for fighting and we are ready for peace"
 The chaneellor's speech was listen ed to by the thronged galleries. The royal box was crowded, All the am | e>-~---~---~---~> in the diplomatic box, the American charge daffaires, Joseph c. Grew, and Mrs. Grew were among those present, as were the ministers of Argentina, Brazil, Chile and the other states of Central and South America.
 The Reichstag building was sur rounded by a great crowd and the ad- joining streets were thronged. The people were intensely interested and the imperial chancellor, on his arrival, was cordially greeted.
 The chancellor began his speech in clear, loud ringing voice His first ut | taranpes wore orpftad with oDn1ouca a