The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1918-10-07
TEXT OF PRINCE
MAX'S PEACE TALK

contains, first, an acceptance OF an
swer OF the former imperial govern
ment to Pope Benedict's note OF Au-
gust 1, 1916, and an unconditional &C
| ceptance OF the Reichstag Of July 10,
| the same year. 1t further declares
Willingness to join in 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 COM
plete rehabilitation (Wiederherstel-
ling) of Belgium, particularly of its
independence and territorial integ-
| rity. An effort shall also be made to
reach an understanding on the ques-
tion of indemnity
THE program will not permit the
peace treaties hitherto concluded to
be hindrance to the conclusion of
general peace. Its particular aim
is that popular representative bodies
shall be formed Immediately on a
broad basis in the Baltic provinces
in Lithuania and Poland. We will
promote the realization of necessary
p e / m airy conditions therefore
without delay by the introduction of
civilian rule. All these lands shall
regulate their constitutions and their
re .ations with neighboring peoples
without external interference.
Unity of Leadership.
in the matter of international
policies ! have taken a clear stand
through the manner in which the
formation OF the Government was
brought about Upon my motion. lead
ers of the majority parties were
summoned for direct advice. 1t was
my conviction, gentlemen, that unity
OF imperial leadership should be as
sured not only through mere schis-
matte party allegiance by the differ
ent members of the Government. 1
considered almost still more impor-
tant the unity Of ideas 1 proceed
ed from this viewpoint and have, in
making my selections. laid greatest
weight on the fact that the members
Of the new imperial government
stand on basis of just peace, re-
CARELESS Of the war situation, and
that they have openly declared this
to be their standpoint at the time
when we stood at the height of our
military successes.
Il am convinced that the manner in
which imperial leadership is now
constituted. with cooperation of the
Reichstag, is not something ephem-
eral, and that when peace comes :,
government cannot again be formed
which does not find support in the
ReichstaE and does not draw its lead
ers therefrom.
War Has Brought Unity.
1.-THE war has conducted US beyond
the old multifarious and disrupted
party life which made II so difficult |
10 put into execution uniform and |
decisive political wish The forma- I
ton Of a majority means the forma- F.
ton of a political will. and an in
result Of the war has been /
that in Germany. for the first time. /
great parties have ojined together in |
a firm, harmonious program and have |
thus come into position to determine |
for themselves the fate Of the people |
This thought will never die This /
will never be rctracted I
(applause) and l trust SO long a. .
Germany's fate is ringed about by |
dangers, these sections of the people 1
outside the majority parties and |
whose representatives do not belong .
to the Government will put aside all |
that separates us and will give the |
fatherland what is the fatherland's |
This development necessitates an
alteration Of our constitutions provi-
siuns along the lines of the imperial |
decree Of September 80, which shall |
make it possible that those mem
bers Of the ReichstaS who entered |
the Government will retain their |
seats in the ReiChstag. a bill to this
end has been submitted to the fed
eral states and will Immediately be .
made the object Of their considera-
ton and decision.
All Arc German Parties.
Gentlemen, let us remember the
words spoken by the Emperor on
August 4, 1914, which / permitted my
self to paraphrase last December at
There are. in fact parties.
but they are all German parties GAP.
plause)
Political developments in Prussia,
he principal German federal state,
must proceed in the spirit OF these
words of the Emperor. and the mes
sage of the King of Prussia pr1mis-
ng the democratic franchise must be
'ulhIled quickly and completely. ZAP
olAuseJ do not doubt, also, that
hose federal states which sim lag
behind in the development Of their
conditions will reso-
utely follow Prussia's example. CAP
,lause.)
For the present. as the example Of
Ill belrfEercnt states demonstrates,
he extraordinary powers which Il
condition of siege compels cannot be ,
dispensed with. but close relations be- ,
ween the military and civilian auth
'rities must be established which will ,
make IL possible that I'm all mot nureIv ,