The Wisconsin tobacco reporter. (Edgerton, Wis.) 1877-1950, 1916-12-15

Document Is Sent to All Neutral Ma
tions, Including the Holy See, and
to the Representatives of BeIIieer-
ents-Terms to Offer Basis for Last
ing Peace.
BERLIN, GER. = Following is the
text of the note addressed by Ger
many and her allies to the entente
governments and neutral nations, and
read in the Reichstag by Chancellor
Bethmann Iicliweg:
"The most terrific war ever expert
enced in hiS.C;" has been raging for
the last two c,rS ard a half over
large part of the World-a catastrophe
which thoCs:rds of years of common
civilization unable to prevent, and
which init the most precious
achievements of humanity.
Our aims are ret to shatter or an
initiate our adversaries. In spite Of
our consciousness of our military and
economic strength and our readiness
to continue the war (Which has been
forced upon u.s. until the bitter end,
ii necessary; at the same time prompt
ed by the desire to avoid further
blOodshed and make an end to the
atrocities of war, the four allied pow
ers propose to enter forthwith into
peace negotiations.
""The propositions which they bring
forward for such negotiations and
which have for their object a guaran-
ty of the eXiStance, of the honor and
liberty of evolution for their nations
are, according to their firm belief, an
appropriate basis for the establish
ment of a lasting peace.
Compelled to Fight, Charge.
1.-THE four allied powers have been
obliged to take up arms to defend JUS
tice aud the liberty of national evolu-
ton The glorious deeds of our armies
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 progress
which were the pride of Europe at
the beginning of the twentieth CEN
fury are threatened with ruin. Ger
many and her allies-Austria-Hu
gary, Bulgaria and Turkey-gave
proof of their unconquerable strength
in this struggle. They gained gigan-
tic advantages over adversaries SUI
perior in number and war material. Our
lines stand mistaken against ever re-
peated attempts made by armies.
Refers to Balkan Victories.
'The latest attack in the Balkans
has been rapidly and VIGOROUSLY
overcome. The most recent events
have demonstrated that further con-
tinuance 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
further 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 a victorious end,
but they disclaim responsibility for
this before humanity and history The
imperial government, through the
the government of (here is inserted
the name of the neutral power adj
dressed in each instance) to bring
this communication to the knowledge
of the government of (here are in
serted the names of the belliger
ents)."
Chancellor Makes Appeal
After reading the note, Chancellor
Won Bethmann-Hollweg said:
Gentlemen, in August, 1914, our
enemies challenged the superiority of
power in the world war Today we
raise the question of peace, which is
a question of humanity We await the
answer of our enemies with that Sc
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
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 humiliation may con-
tinue.
I'm q fateful hour we took a Hateful
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 listen
ed to by thronged galleries. The royal
box was crowded. All the ambassa-
doris and ministers of foreign govern
ments were in the diplomatic box