Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1916-12-15
REASONS FOR PEACE
MOVE OF GERMANY
GIVEN To RE|CHSTAC
Chancellor Says Conscious
ness of Duty to God and HUI
mainly Prompts Proposal
to End the War

Chancellor Won Bethmann- Hollweg' s
speech is reported ~ the Overseas News
agency as follows:
Chancellor Won Bethmann-Hollwes
Today announced TO the reichstag that
Germany. together with her allies. CON
,scious o. their responsibility before
TOD before their own nations. before
Aumahity." had proposed this morning
10 the hostile powers TO enter on peace
negotiations.
Practically .all the members Of par
lament answered the unexpected sum-
mons. The crowded house and thrOnged
galleries listened in attentive silence
when the chancellor rose for his speech
The chancellor first outlined the ez-
traordinary political situation and then.
insisting upon the achievements OF the
central powers, made an announcement
which possibly may be the turning point
in the war. The chancellor said:
The reichstag had not been adjourned
FOR a long period but fortunately II
was left to the discretion of the presi-
dent as to the day Of the next meet
ing. This decision 1xas caused by the
nope that soon happy events in the
reid would be recorded. a hope fulfilled
quicker, almost, than expected / shall
he brief for actions speak for them
selves
The chancellor said Rumania had en-
tered the war In order to roll up the
German positions In the east and those
II Germany's allies. d. At the same time
the grand offensive on the Somme had
As its object TO pierce the German west
arm front and the renewed Italian at
lacks were intended 10 paralyze Austria
Hungary
The situation was serious the chan
cellor continued But with Gods help
our troops shaped conditions so as to
give JUS security which not only is COM
Dlets but still more so than ever before.
The western front stands. Not only
does IL stand but in spite OF the Ruma-
Hian campaign il is lifted out with larg-
sr reserves of men and material than
Il had been formerly.
The most effective precautions have
been taken against all Italian diversions.
And while on the Somme and on the
Carso the drum-fiTe resounded while the
Russians launched troops against the
eastern frontier of Pennsylvania, Field
Marshal Won Hindenburg captured the
whole Of western Wallachia and the hos
tile capital Of Bucharest, leading with
unparalleled genius the troops that in
competition with all the allies made pos
s5ible what hitherto was considered i'm
possible.
And Hindenburg does not rest Mil
1tary operations progress BY strokes
OF the sword at the same time firm foun-
dations for our economic needs have been
laid Great stocks OF grain. victuals,
oils and other goods fell into our hands
in Rumania- Their transport has be-
gun. In spite OF scarcity, we could
have lived on our own supplies, hut now
our safety Is beyond question"
ITO these great events on land the
chancellor continued, heroic deeds of
eQusa importance are added by our sub
b. aNra. .-E Tar~ I'm rFsa1a
our enemies intended 10 appear before US
now pursues them without mercy. When
after the termination OF the first year of
the war the emperor addressed the ma
lion in a public appeal he said: Having
witnessed such great events, my heart
was filled with awe and determination
Neither our emperor nor our nation
ever changed their minds I'm this respect.
Neither have they now. The genius and
heroic acts of our leaders have fashioned
these facts as firm as iron. II the ere
my counted upon the WEAKNESS of his
enemy, then he was deceived"
The chancellor said the propositions
which Germany was bringing forward
nad for their object the guarantee of
existence OF honor and of liberty of
evolution for the four allied (centraD
powers.
The reichstag. by means of the ma
fionaI auxiliary war service law. helped
% build a new offensive and defensive
buIwark in the midst of the great
struggle" the chancellor Continued.
Behind the fighting army stands the
nation at work-the gigantic force of
me nation, at work for the common
aim.
The empire is not a besieged fortress
as our adversaries imagined. but one
gigantic and firmly-disciplined camp
with inexhaustfble resources. That is
the German empire, which is firmly ana
faithfully united with its brothers IN
arms who have been tested in battles
under Austro-Hungarian. Turkish and
Bulgarian flags. Not confused 0y as
servatfons we progressed with nrn de-
cision and we thus continued our prog
.rsss. always ready 20 defend ourselves
and fight for our nations existence, for
It's free future and always ready TO
stretch ont our hand for peace.
our strength has not made our ears
dsaf 70 our responsibility before God.
before our own nation and before hu-
ranfty. The declarations formerly
made BY US concerning our READINESS
for peace were evaded by our adVeF-
saries.
farther in this direction.
aOn August /, 1914. the emperor had
,,arsonaIlv to take the gravest decision
which ever fell 20 the lot OF GermaIl-
the order for mobilizatiOn-which ne
was compelled to give as result OF
the Russian mobilization. During these
long and earnest years of the war the
arnperor has been moved by a single
thought: How peace could be restored 70
safeguard Germany after the struggle
IN which she has fought VIGOROUSLY
Nobody can testify better, TO this
than I. who bear the responsibility Tor
ell actions Of the government In 6
tieep moral aud religious sense Of duty
toward mis- nation. and beyond II toward
humanity, the emperor now considers
that the moment has come for official
action toward peace
His majesty. therefore, IN complete
harmony and in common with our allies.
decided TO propose 10 the hostile powers
20 enter into peace negotiations. This
morning 1 transmitted a note TO this
effect TO all the hostile powers. through
the representatives OF those powers
which are watching over our interests
md rights in the hostile states.
asked the Representatives OF Spain, the
United states and Switzerland to for
ward that note
The same procedure has been adopt
"A today in Vienna. COnstsntinople and
sofia Other neutral states and his
holiness. the pope have been similarly
informed"
"If in spite OF this offer Of peace and