The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1917-12-25
KAISER WOULD
COMPEL PEACE
WITH IRON FIST
In Message to Troops. Gives
Alternative if Terms
Are Refused.
LAUDS VALOR OF MEN
Says Battles of 1917 Prove
"TOrd Is AvOwed Ally"
Of German People.
CONFIDENT OF OUTCOME
Declares "Rccent Victories"
Have Had Effect on Father
land and Enemy.
CONFIDENT OF OUTCOME

-
AMSTERDAM. Dec. 24.-The four
Teutonic Allied Powers. according
to a despatch from BreN.Litovsk,
have agreed to reply Jointly to the
Russian peace proposals. The re.
My, II Is added. will he delivered
tomorrow.
AMSTERDAM. Dec. - IT the enemy
does rot want peace, then we must
bring peace by hatterinG in with the
iron fist and the shining sword the
doors of those who will not have peace.
Ire year 1917. with its great battles.
has proved that the German people
mas in the Lord Of Creation above an
unconditional and avowcd ally on whom
IT can absolutely rely. Without Him all
would have been in. vain
This message was delivered to his
troops by Emperor William on Satur-
day Oh visit 10 the western 'front.' A
despatch from Berlin quotes the Kaiser
n praise for his men and the outlook
on the future of Germany and the war
as follows:
But for the calm and heroic war.
riors on the western front. the enormous
derloyment of German forces in the
east and in Italy never would have been
possible. The fighter in the west has
exposed heroically his body so that his
brothers on the Dvina and tho Isonzo
might storm from victory to victory.
The fearful battles on the bloody hills
around Nerdun were not ir vain they
created new foundations for the con-
duct Of the war.
Praise for Soldiers.
1T has been "A year full Of events for
the German army and the German
Fatherland Powerful blows have been
delivered and your comrades in tho
east have been able 80 bring about
great decisions.
There has been no man. no officer
and no general on the whole eastern
front. wherever | hav, spoken TO thcm.
who has not frankly admitted that they
could not have accomplished what they
have II their comrades in tho west had
not stood 10 a man.
The tactical and stratesiCal corynec-
t!on between the battles on the Ai.ne
in the Cha mpaRne, Artots and Flanders
and at Cambria and the events in the
east and in Italy is so manifest that 1t
Is useless TO waste words on il.
With centralized direction tha
German army works in centralized
manner. In order that we should be-
able to deliver these offensive blow,
one portion Of the army had to remain
on the defensive. hard as this IA for
the German soldier Such a defensive
battle, however, as has been fought
in 1917 is without parallel frac-
tion of the German army accepted ths
heavy task. covering its comrades in
the east unConditionally, and 1t had
the entire Angio-F French army against
itself
ENEMY Has Achieved Nothins."
In long preparation tho enemy had
. collected unhcsrd of technical means
and masses OF ammunition and guu,
In order to make his entry into Brus
sells over your front. a. he proudly an
nounces. The enemy has achieved nslA-
ing
The most gigantic fea, ever &C.
compliSiied by an army aud ono with.
out parallel in history was sc-
complished by the German army. I
don't boast. II is "A fact and nothing
else. The admiration YOU have earned
shall be your reward and at tho sams
time your pride. Nothing can TN any
way place in the shade or surpasi what
you have accomplished. however grsat
and overwhelming il may he
The year 1917 N.'n it's great hat.
ties has proved that rur German n,o.
Pile has in tine Lord Of CREATION ahoy.
An unconditional and avuWed allv a.,
whom II can absolutely rcly Witbou,
Him all would have been in vain.
! Every one of you had to exert ev.rr
nerve to the utmost. | know that everS
one of you In the unparalleled dr1Imar.
did srperhumHn deeds The feelIng yrar
have hecn frequently with Won, ~ ".
only had something behind us IL We on,v
mad some relief" II came as the resul,
Of the blow in the east where II is seen
that the storms Of war there arc nj
present silenccd. tiod grant that it mar
be forever
snc""s."s W"N" HAD Eject.
yesterday | saw and spoke 10 Won,
{ comrades near Nerdun. and thcrc pass
ing through all minds like the scent o;
the morning breeze was the thought
You are no longer alone Tho gresi
successes and victories of tho recent ma
/ the great days Of battle III F'lander,
and before Cambria, where tho nre
crushing ofyensiv" blow delivered upoI
the arrogant British showed that despit,
three years Of war and suffering ou
troops sim retained their old onersiv,
spirit--havc their effect on tho ertr.
Fathcrland and o., the cromN.
I'VE do not know what IL still in stor,
for us. but We have seen how in this las
of the four years of war Gods han,
has visibly prevailed, punished treacher.
and rewarded heroic persistence From
this We can gain firm confidence that tn
Lord will be with us in the future also