The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-12-13
Ehancellor's Historic Address
Frequently Punctuated by
Enthusiastic Applause
NOT WEAKNESS BUT
STREsCTH EVINCED
Tender of Peace Terms Not
to Be Taken az Meaning
Germany IL F earful as to Ul-
y innate Result Of War

Berlin. Dec. 12.--Germany today
p6ered peace to the allies
The imperial Chancellor DIR. Won
8ethmann-Hollweg. speaking for the
German Empire and its allies, Aus
ffTta-Hungary Bulgaria and Turkey.
announced in the Reichstag that he
had given to the diplomatic repre-
oentAtiyesN of Spain. the United States
and Switzerland a joint note address
- to Germany's enemies. proposing
70 them to enter into peace negotia-
Mons
The chancellor did not announce
The terms upon which Germany and
her allies will make peace. Nor arc
they contained In the note he hand
ed to the three neutral diplomats for
transmission to the entente powers
The only reference he made to them
Was that they had the oJect Of guar
|,anteeing the existence. honor and lib
erfy of evolution" for nations extend
ta~ the offer and are according 10
thsir Arm belief. an appropriate basis
Tor the establishment Of everlasting
rAace"
This reference IL contained in the
note addressed to the allies. The rep
resenfatives Of Spain, the United
States and Switzerland were selected
for tho transmission because these
countries represent the entente In
terests III Germany and the countries
lot heT>ailies. simultaneously with the
Issuance of the note 10 the allies. Ger
many sent II communication tn Pope
Benedict through the German mini
lister at the Vatican, DR.. Otto Won
Muchlbach, notifying the pontiff of
HSern1 ans's peace move. euiogixing the
&n1xx father Ia is ,sF N hAha IL
ct peace during the last two years.
and expressing the confidence that
Gcrmany's initiative will find a
friendly welcome on tho part of His
holiness and that the work Of peace
van count upon the precious support
Uf the Holy See
Throughout the chancellor's speech
md bob in the note 10 the entente
ana that to Pope Benedict emphasis
|5A laid upon these chief points.
That the peace move Is made in
|9Ell harmony with each of Germany
ailies.
Not weakness hut Ssrena tn.
That not weakness hut stvt myth
coupled with solicitude for civiiiza-
tim and humanity. prompt the offer
~ peace.
That il his offer fails upon deaf
ears OF the entente countries, the re-
(opcnsibility OF the errors that further
NrcionEation OF the struggle are bound
u bring liz solei. that Of Germany's
oaemies The German empire. he
tlNciared declines every responsible
~ for this before humanity and his
tory
us- 4 Stag words were
I'VE are ready for fghting and
|reafy sor peace.
Frequent hints at huge military
6trokcs planned by the central pow
xFS IN me event their offer IL rs1ecred
s1narked tho chancellor's speech. Az
0nr telling of the successful campaign
r. Rumania. he added significantly:
ssAnd Hindenburg does not rest. the
NnlIitary operations progress"
n Especial stress was laid by the
chAncellor upon the absolute unity OF
4hs German people and the people
IN hsr allies.
mot ! besissed fortress. As our
gnAyersaries had thought" said he,
Shut one gigantic. firmly disciplined
4 fNSur. with unexhausted resources.
tat IN the German empire. firmly
ind faithfully united with Its broth
~ In arms"
Unlike his powerful utteranccs on
sneace, the chanceilor's lsreech today
SeY.nN but little on the causes OF the
- r-tt.ra.ed however. that
4 AhA Kaiser's Hateful decision on Au-
aat TO order the mobiliza-
Cor Nas forced upon him by Russia i
Eaobllixatiop Again the chancellor
ryss~trds to the shattered aims Of the
fafente to starye out II Germany
: