New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-12-13

personally 10 take tho srayest decision
which ever fell 20 the lot Of a Gerhah
the order for mobilizauon-Whlch ne
was compelled 90 give as result OF
the Russian mobilization. during inc
long and earnest years OF the war INC
Emperor has been moved By single
thought: How peace could be restored
20 safeguard Germany after the strug-
gle in which she has fought Nlctorl-
ously.
Moment for Peace Move
Nobody can testify better 20 this than
!, who bear the responsibility Tor all
actions of the government. In deep
moral and religious sense Of duty tow
ard his nation, and. beyond 1t, toward
humanity, the Emperor now con siders
that the moment has come for Official
action toward peace.
"His majesty, therefore, in complete
harmony and In common with our al
lies, decided 20 propose 20 the hostile
powers 20 enter into peace negotiations.
This morning ] transmitted note TO
this effect TO all the hostile powers,
through the representatives Of those
powers which arc watching over our
interests and rights IN the hostile
states. J asked the representatives Of
Spain. the United States and SwitZcr-
land 10 forward that note.
"The same procedure has been adopt
ed to-day in Vienna, Constautinople and
Sofia. Other neutral states and His
Holiness the Pope have been similarly
informed"
Ready for War or Peace
After reading the note addressed to
the Entente Allies the Chancellor said I:
Gentlemen, in August. 1914. our
enemies challenged the superiority Of
our power IN the world war To-day VIC
raise the question OF peace, which Is a
question of humanity. We await the
answer Of our enen les with that
serCueness Of mind which is guaranteed
10 Us by our exterior and interior
strength and by our clear conscience.
"lf our enemies decline 20 end the
war, If they wish to take upon them
selves the worlds heavy burden OF all
these terrors which hereafter will fol-
low them even in the least and small
est homes, every German heart will
burn IN sacred wrath against our
enemies, who are unwilling 10 stop
human slaughter. that their plans OF
conquest and humiliation may con-
tInue.
-ln a fateful hour we took fateful
decision. 1t has been saturated with
the blood of hundred of thOusai Is OF
our sons and brothers who gave their
lives for the safety OF their home.
Human wits and human under
standing are unable TO reach 10 the eX-
IRENE and last questions IN this strug
gle Of nations. which has unveiled all
the terrors Of earthly life. but also the
grandeur of human courage and human
VIII IN ways never seen before.
God will be the judge. We can pro
coed upon our way without fear and
unashamed. We are ready for fighting
and we arc ready for peace"
Galleries ana Boxes Filled
The Chancellors speech was listened
10 by thronged galleries. The royal
box was crowded All the ambassadors
and ministers of foreign governments
were in the diplomatic box.
The American Charge d'Afaires,
Joseph {. Grew. and Mrs. Grew were
among those present, as we're the Min
listers of Argentina, Brazil, Chile and
the other states Of Central and South
America.
The Reichstag building was sur
rounded by great crowd, and the adj
Joining streets were thronged. The
people were intensely interested, and
the Imperial Chancellor or his arrival
was cordially greeted in the usual
fashion
The Chancellor began his speech in
clear, loud, ringing voice. His iirst
utterances were greeted with applause
on all sides, and ut frequent points in
his speech the assembly assented IN
demonstrative fashion.
Later, however, when he touched
upon the question Of policy difference
Of opinion made themselves felt, the
applause coming mainly from the
Catholic Centre and the Left. At the
conclusion OF his address majority
of the House applauded and the gal
lcries joined in the handclapping.
The Reichstag adjourned, TO be re-
convened at the call Of the president.
Prior to adjournment the president Of
the chamber declared that the nation
and its representatives would always
support the Chancellor IN a policy
which was farsighted and intelligent.