Jamestown weekly alert. [volume] (Jamestown, Stutsman County, D.T. [N.D.]) 1882-1925, 1916-12-14
OF THE
CHANCELLoR'S
PEACE PROPOSAL

text of the note addressed by Ger
| many and her allies to the hostile
governments as read today by the
chancellor before the rechstag:
"The most terrific war ever ex-
perienced in history has been raging
for the last two years and half over
a large part of the wOrld-a catastro-
phe which thousands of years of COM
mon civilization was unable to pre-
vent and which Injuries the most
precious achievements of humanity.
"Our aims are not to shatter nor
annihilate our adversaries. In spite
of our consciousness of our military
and economic strength and our readl-
ness to continue the war (Which hau
been forced upon us), until the bitter
end if necessary, at the same time
prompted by the desire to avoid
further bloodshed and make an end
to the atrocities of war, the four al
lied powers propose to enter forth
With into peace negotiations.
Believe Basis for Peace.
"The propositions which they bring
| forward for such negotiations and
which have for their object a guar
antee of the existence of the honor
and liberty of evolution for their ma
! tions are, according to their firm be-
lief, an appropriate basis for the es-
tablishment of lasting peace.
'Thc four allied powers have been
obliged to take up arms to defend
justice and the liberty of national
evolution. The glorious deeds of
our armies have in no way altered
| their purposes. We also maintained
the firm belief that our own rights
and justified claims in no way con-
troll the rights of these nations.
Progress Threatened.
"The spiritual ard material prog
ress which were the pride of Europe
at the beginning of the twentieth
century, are threatened with ruin.
Germany and her allies, Austria
Hungary, Bulgaria and Turkeq. gave
proof of their unconquerable strength
nthis struggle. They gained ggan-
tic advantages over adversaries su-
perior in number and war material.
Our lines stand unshaken against ev-
er-repeated attempts made by armies.
"The last attack in the Balkans
has been rapidly and most victorious
ly overcome The most recent DEM
onstrations have shown that further
continuation of the war will not re-
suit in breaking the resistance of our
forces and the whole situation with
regard to our troops justifies our ex-
pectation OF further successes.
Disclaim Responsibility.
IF, in spite of the offer of peace
and reconciliation, the struggle
should go on, the four allied powers
are resolved to continue to victori
Gus end but they disclaim responsi.
bility for this before humanity and
history. The imperial government,
through the good Offices of our ex-
cellency, ask the government of (here
is inserted the name of the neutra!
power addressed in each instance) to
bring this communication to the
knowledge of the government OF
(here are inserted the names of the
belligerents).
Chancellor's Statement.
After reading the note, the chan
cellor 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 question of humanity. We
await the answer of our enemies
WlLn LudL SCICucucoS VI IllIuu WulCu
is guaranteed to us by our exterio" :
and interior strength and by our
clear consciences. II 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 sac
red wrath against our enemies who
are unwilling to stop human slaugh-
ter in order that their plans of con-
quest and annihilation may continue.
':In fateful hour we look for a
fateful decision. God will be the
Judge. We can proceed upon our
way without fear ard unashamed.
We are ready for fighting and we are
ready for peace"
The chancellcr's speech was lis
tened to by thronged galleries. The
royal box was crowded. All the am
bassadors and ministers of foreign
governments were in the diplomatic
box.
JURY CONVICTs RAY MARTIN.