Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-10-07

scribed time minimum OF similar
OF at least equally, efficient institutions
for the security of life and health as
for the care of laborers IN the case
Of Illness, accident or invafdism
"Of direct importance are the con.
illusions which the Government In
the brief span of it's existence has
been able to draw from the situation,
in which II finds itself and to apply
virtually to the situation. More than
four years OF bloodiest struggle
against a world OF numerically su.
perior enemies are behind us. years
full of the hardest battles and most
painful sacrifices. Nevertheless. we
are of strong heart and full OF con
f1dent faith II, our strength. resolved
to bear still heavier sacrifices for our
honor and II feedom and for the hap
piness of Gus posterity. IL 1t cannot be
otherwise. CApplauseJ
I'VE remember with deep and warm
gratitude our brave troops. who. un-
der splendid leadership. have accom-.
plished almost superhuman deeds
throughout the whole war and whose
past deeds are a sure guarantee that
the fate OF us all will also in future
be in good and dependable hands IL,
their keeping. For months continu.
Gus. terrible and murderous battle has
been raging in the west. Thanks TO
the incompatible heroism of our army,
which will live ms an immortal. gori.
Gus page in the history OF the Ger.
man people at all times. the front is
uhbroken.
This proud consciousness permits
us to look to the future with conf
dence. But, juY because we are in.
spired by this feeling and the convic.
ton that II Is also our duty to make
certain that the bloody struggle be not
protracted for a single day beyond the
moment when close Of the war seems
possible to us, which does not affect
our honor. I have. therefore. not
waited until today to take step to
further the idea Of peace.
Intervention Of President Asked
supported by the consent of all
duly authorized persons In the EN-.
pire, and by consent Of all our allies
acting In concert with us. ! sent on
the night Of October 4-5. through the
mediation Of Switzerland, a note to
the President Of the UTited States i'm
which I requested him TO take up the
bringing about Of peace and to com.
municate to this end with all the bel
ligerent States.
"The note will reach Washington to-
day or tomorrow. IL is directed to the
President Of the United States, be-
cause he. In his message to Congress
January 8, 1918. and In his later proc
lamations, particularly In his New
York speech Of September %, prOpOs-
ed program for u general peace
which we can accept as u basis for
negotiations.
T have taken this step not only for
the salvation Of Germany and its
allies. but Of all humanity, which has
been suffering for years through the
war.
81 have taken II also because I he
lieve the thoughts regarding the future
well.being Of the nation which were
proclaimed by Mr.. Wilson are In
accord with the general ideas cher.
ishetl by the new German Government
and with II the overwhelming majority
Of our people.
TSection OF speech missing here.l
80 far as am personally con.
cerned. in earlier speeches to other
assemblages my hearers will testify
that the conception which I hold of a
future peace has undergone no change
since ! was intrusted with the leader.
ship OF the empires affairs.
II see hence no distinction what.
ever between the national and inter.
national mandates Of duty i'm respect
of peace. For me the deciding factor
is solely that all participants shall
with equal honesty acknowledge these
mandates as binding and respect them
as is the case with me and with other
members OF our new Government. And
so. with an inner peace. which my
clear conscience as a man and as a
servant OF the people gives me, and
which rests at the same time upon
firm faith in this great and true
people. this people capable of every
devotion. and upon their glorious arm.
ed power. ] await the outcome of the
f1rst action which | have taken as
the leading statesman OF the Empire.
Germany Ready for Peace or War
Whatever this outcome NAV he. /
know 1t will find Germany firmly re
solved and united either for an up.
right peace which rejects every selfish
OF the rights OF others or TOR
continuance OF the struggle for life
and death to which our people would
be forced. without our own fault. II
the answer to our note of the Powers
opposed to us should be directed by a
will to destroy US.
do not despair over the thought
mat this second alternative may come.
know the greatness of the mighty
power yet possessed by our people and
know that the incontrovertible con.
viction that they were only fighting
Ior our life as a nation would double
Lhese powers. IApplause.
Il nope, however. for the sake OF all
mankind. that the President of the
Onited states will receive our. offer
Is we meant 1t. Then the door would
oe opened to speedy. honorable peace
d Justice and reconciliation for us as
we'll as FOR our opponents