The Watertown weekly leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1912-1917, 1916-12-20

Berlin, Dec. 13.-Germany and her
allies, Austria-Hungary, Bulgaria and
Turkey, took the first decisive step to
bring to an end the greatest and blood
lest war in the history of the world.
Direct appeal was made to the en-
tente powers for a peace conference
through the United States, Spain, Swift
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 longer period, but had
been left to the discretion e. 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. / 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 it's
object the piercing of our western front
and renewed Italian attacks had for
their purpose the paralyZation of Aus
tria-Hungary.
"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 were taken
against all Italian diversions.
"And while the Carso plateau Utal-
ian 'front.' and the Somme resounded
with drum fire, and while the Russians
launched troops against the eastern
frontier of Pennsylvania, Field Mar
shall Won Hindenburg captured the
whole of Western Wallachia (Rouma-
MAJ 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.
Hndenburg Doesn't Rest.
"And 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 a uues-
ton Of humanity. We await the an
swer of our enemies with that serene
ness 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 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 I'M
willing TO stop human slaughter in or
der that their plans of conquest and
humiliation may continue.
''In a fateful hour we took fateful
decision. God will be the judge. We
can proceed upon our way without fear
and unashamed. We are ready for
fighting and we are ready for peace"
The chancellor's speech was listened
to by thronged galleries. The royal
box was crowded. All the ambassadors
and ministers of foreign governments
were in the diplomatic box.
The Official Announcement
foIl