Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1916-12-13

UIlllS " I'LL Cllu lllC 81 alCoI anu Oloou'
lest war in the history of the world.
Direct appeal was made to the en-.
tente powers for peace conference
through the United States, Spain, Switz-
erland and the Chancellor Won Beth.
mann Hollweg. in the crowded reichs-
tag, amidst breathless silence, de-
clared that the German allies. con.
scious of their responsibility before
God and mankind, had proposed to the
entente powers to enter into peace ne.
gOtiations forthwith.
chanceIlor's Speech.
The chancellor said:
"That the reichstag had not been ad-
journed for a longer period, but had
been left to the discretion of the pres
ident to set the meeting day was for
tunate.
"This.decision was brought about by
the hope that soon happy events in the
field would be recorded. This hope
had been fulfilled quicker almost than
had been expected. l shall be brief
for the actions speak for themselves.
"Roumania had entered the war in
order to roll up our position in the
East and that of our allies. At the
same time a grand offensive had for its
object the piercing Of our western front
and renewed Italian attacks had for
their purpose the paralyzation OF Aus.
>tria-H Hungary. r
"Our east front stands stands de,
spite the fact that the Roumanian cam
paign was fitted out with larger re.
serves of men and materials than had
been used On any former occasion. The
most efficient PRECAUTIONS nWega taken
against all italian diversions. IN
: "And while the Carso plateau (Ital.
ian 'front.' and the Somme resounded
with drum fire, and while the Russians
launched troops against the eastern
frontier of sTransylvania, Field Mar.
shall Won Hindenburg captured the
whole of Western Wallachia (Rouma.
nia) and the hostile capital Of Bucha.
rest, leading with unparalleled genius
troops that, In conjunction with \our
allies, made possible what had hitherto
been considered impossible.
Hindenburg Doesn't Rest.
sand Hindenburg doesn't rest. Mill
tary operations are still in progress
By the strokes of our sword the firm
foundations of our economic needs
have been laid at the same time,
Great stocks Of grain, victuals, oil and
other goods fel into our hands in Rou-
mania.
"Their transport to our country has
begun. But in spite Of the scarcity we
could have lived on our own supplies
Now our safety is beyond question"
Chancellor Makes Appeal.
After reading the note sent to the en-.
tente allies. Chancellor Won Bethmann,
Hollweg said:
Gentlemen, in August, 1914, our enc
mics challenged the superiority Of
power in the world. Today we raise
the question Of peace, which is ques.
ton Of humanity. We await the an
swer of our enemies with that serene
ness of mind which lis guaranteed ia
us by our exterior and interior strength
and by our clear conscience. If Oul
enemies decline to end the war, IL they
wish to- take upon themselves the
worlds heavy burden of all these ter
rors 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 un
willing to stop human slaughter in or
der that their plans Of conquest ant
humiliation may continue.
I'm fateful hour we took fatefu
decision. God will be the judge. W.
can proceed upon our way without feal
and unashamed. We: are ready TO
fighting and we are ready for peace
The chancellor's speech was listene'
to by thronged galleries. The roya
box was crowded. All the ambassador
and ministers of foreign government
were in the diplomatic box.
The following announcement wa
given out by the semioficial OVERSEE
News agency:
1.-THE chancellor this morning re
ceived one after another the repre-
sentatives of the United States o
America and Spain and Switzerland
that is. of the states protecting Ger
man interests in hostile foreign coun
tries. The chancellor transmitted T.
them note and asked them to bring |
TO the knowledge Of the hostile govern
ments The note will be read in tn
reichstas by the chancellor.
"In the note the four allied (cen