New-York tribune., 1918-10-07

quickly and completely. (Applause.)
do not doubt also that those Federal
states which still lag behind in the de-
velopmcnt Of their constitutional con-
ditions will resontely follow Prussia's
example. <Applause.)
"For the present. az the example OF
all beligerent states demonstrates, the
extraordinary powers which condition
of siege compels cannot be dispensed
with, but close relations between the
military and civilian authorities must
be established which will make it pos
siblc that in all not purely military
questions, and hence especially as to
censorship and right of assemblagc,
the attitude Of the civilian executive
authorities shall make itself heard
and that final decision shall be placed
under the Chancellor's responsibility
(applause).
"New Epoch" for Germany
"To this end, the order Of the En-
pcror will be sent to the military COM
manders. With September 80, the day
of the decree. began new epoch in
Germany's internal history. The in
ternal policy whose basic principles are
therein laid down is of deciding im-
rortanco on the question of peace or
war
"Thc striking force which the govern
ment mas in its striviugs for peace
depends on whether It has behind it
the united, firm and unshakable will
of the people. Only when our enemies
feel that the German people stand
united hack of their chosen leaders,
then only can words become deeds
(applause).
"At the peace negotiations the Ger
man government will use it's efforts to
the end that the treaties shall contain
provisions concerning the protection of
labor and insurance Of )aborers, which
provisions shall oblige the treaty max
ing states to institute in their respec-
tive lands within prescribed time a
minimum of similar, or 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 invalidism.
Confident of Future
"Of direct Importance are the con-
ciusions which the government in the
brief span of its existence has been
able 20 draw from the situation in
which it finds itself and to apply prac-
tically to the situation. More than
four years of bloodiest struggle
against world of numerically superior
enemies are behind US, years full of
the hardest battles and most palnful
sacrifices. Nevertheless, we are of
strong heart and full of confident faith
in our strength, resolved to bear still
heavier sacrifices for our honor and
: freedom and for the happiness of our
posterity. if it cannot be otherwise
(applause).
I'VE remember with deep and warm
gratitude our brave troops, who, un-
der splendid leadership, have accom-
phshed 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 in
their keeping For months a con-
tlnuous, terrible and murderous battle
has been raging in the west Thanks
to the Incompatible heroism of our
army, which will live as an immortal,
glorious page in the history of the Ger
man people for all times, the front is
unbroken.
Moves for Peace
This proud consciousness permits US
to look to the future with confidence
But, just because we are inspired by
this feeling and the conviction that it
is also our duty to make certain that
the bloody struggle be not protracted
for single day beyond the moment
when close of the war seems possible
to us which does not affect our honor.
| have, therefore, not waited until to-
day to take a step to further the idea
of peace.
"Supported by the consent of all
duly auth orized persons in the empire,
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, note to the Presi-
dent of the United States in which |
requested him to take up the bringing
about of peace and to communicate to
this end with all the belligerent states.
"The note will reach Washington to-
day or tomorrow. 1t is directed to the
President of the United States because
he, in his message to Congress, January
8, 1918, and in his later proclamations.
particularly in his New York speech
of Sept. 27, proposed a programme for
general peace which we can accent as
a basis for negotiations
Would Save Humanity
81 have taken this step not only for
the salvation Of Germany and her al
lies, but of all humanity, which has
been suffering for years through the
war.
81 have taken it also because 7 be-
President Wilson. The intention of the
r,Of1 Tn i