The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-10-07
Reforms of Hertling.

undergone Dasic arteratlon OF ltS pouticai
leadership.
Reforms of iHertiing,
o 'nR:,i n. to IF. IF 50 81 m
Georg Won Hertlins, then chancellor; After reeii.
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As successor to Count Georg F.. Won
Hertling, whose services in behalf of the
fatherland deserve the highest acknowledge
ment, I have been summoned by the EN-
peror to lead the new Government.
In accordance with the governmental
method now introduced, submit to the
Reichstsg, publicly and without delay, the
the grave responsibilities of the Office.
These principles were firmly established
by the agreement of the federated Govern
ments and the leaders of the majority par
ties in this honorable House before de-
cided to assume the duties of Chancellor.
They contain, therefore, not only my own
confession of political faith, but that Of an
overwhelming portion of the German peo-
pies representatives, that is of the German
nation, which has constituted the Reichs-
tag on the basis of a general, equal and
secret franchise and according to their will
H,.yx. H. Ca hat II NlA sNts
and will of the majority of the people are
back of me has given me strength to take
upon myself conduct of the empires af-
fairs in this hard and earnest time in which
we are living.
One mans shoulders would be too weak
to carry alone the tremendous RESPONSE
bility which falls UPON the Government at
present Only if the people take active
part, in the broadest sense of the word in
deciding their destinies; in other words, if
responsibility also extends to the majority
of their freely elected political leaders. can
the leading statesman confidently assume
his part of the responsibility in the service
of folk and fatherland.
My resolve to do this has been especially
lightened for me by the fact that promi-
nent leaders of the laboring class have
found way in the new Government to the
highest Offices of the empire ! see therein
a sure guarantee that the new Govern
fidence of the broad masses of the people,
without whose true support the whole
undertaking would be condemned to failure
in advance. Hence, what / say to-day l
say is not only in my own name and those
of my official helpers, but in the name of
the German people.
The programme of the majority parties
upon which I take my stand contains, first,
an acceptance of the answer of the former
Imperial Government to Pope Benedict's
note of August /, 1916, and an uncondi-
tional acceptance of the Reichstag resolu-
tion Of July 10, the same year. 1t further
declares willingness to join a general
league of nations based on the foundation
of equal rights for all, both strong and
weak.
1t considers this solution of the Belgian
question to lie in the complete rehabilita-
tion Notwithstanding of Belgium, par
ticularly of its independence and terri
torial integrity. An effort shall also be
made to reach an understanding on the
question of indemnity.
The programme will not permit the peace
treaties hitherto concluded to be him
drance to the conclusion of a general peace.
Its particular aim is that popular repre-
sentative bodies shall be formed imme-
diately on a broad basis in the Baltic
provinces, in Lithuania and Poland. We
will promote the realization Of necessary
preliminary conditions therefor without
delay by the introduction of civilian rule
All these lands shall regulate their consti-
tutions and their relations with neighbor-
ing peoples without external interference.
In the matter of international policies
have staken a clear stand through the
manner in which the formation of the Gov
ernment was brought about. Upon my
motion leaders of the majority parties
were summQned for direct advice. 1t was
my conviction, gentlemen, that unity of
imperial leadership should be assured not
only through mere schismatic party alle-
glance by The different members of she
Government. ! considered almost still
more important the unity of ideas.
/ nroceeded from this yiawnoint and