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

human deeds throughout the whole war
and whose past deeds are sure guarantee
that the fate Of US all will also in future be
in good and dependable hands in their
BILE 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 German people for all times, the front
is unbroken.
This proud consciousness permits us to
look to the future with confidence. But,
just because we are inspired by this feel
ing and the conviction that it is also our
duty to make certain that the bloody strug-
gle be not protracted for single day be-
yond the moment when a 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 au-
thorized persons in the empire, and by con-
sent of all our allies acting in concert with
us, l sent on the night Of October As,
through the mediation of Switzerland, a
note to the President of the United States
in which requested him to take up the
bringing about of peace and to communi-
cate to this end with all the belligerent
States.
The note will reach Washington today
or Tomorrow. It is directed 10 the Presk
dent Of the United States because he, in
his message to Congress January 8, 1918,
and In his later proclainatie partfeuiArly,
in his New York speech Of September 81,
proposed programme for a general peace
which we can accept as a basis for negotia-
tlons.
Metropolitan Opera House Speech.
DosD ln his DsS sddrss n. on September e the Metro
I,i can State them GSes" s,rms s" for sau a peace
oy.rnmen, % as mis-
refaTd aFrs, to peace; pea ,,..,. ....-,
Ss'Ss "tss ,ssss GS to rRoa
Wish be Just and Aqss 3. S.e nat ": do 1S
no isNo,tes and Knows no standard but the equal
T'second, no specai or separate interest OF any
OF ar % fFCap OF Ss Of sn BE %ad
not .r consistent with the common interest OF ali;
special covenants and under.isndinss Within the
t"rOurth. and more specifically there can be
Inc league and no employment OF any form OF
Of economic penalty by exclusion from the mar.
BE OF .pns ii the d'ssps ssnsrs
t"Ftth. az iniernstiona! agreements and tH.s,ies
TO the rest OF the wOrld."I '' '"e" entirety
l 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.
/ have taken it also because | believe
ing OF the nation which were proclaimed
by Mr.. Wilson are in accord with the gen
eral ideas cherished by the new German
Government and with it the overwhelming
majority Of our PEOPLE.
So far as l am personally concerned
in earlier speeches to other assemblages
my hearers will testify that the conception
which l hold OF future peace has under
gone no change since was entrusted with
the leadership of the empires affairs.
see, hence, no distinction whatever be-
tween the national and international man
dates of duty in respect of peace. For
me the deciding factor is solely that all
participants shall with equal honesty, ac-
knowledge these mandates as binding and
respect them as is the case with me and
with the other members of our new Gov
ernment.
And so with an inner peace. which nv
clear conscience as a man and as n 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
armed power ! await the outcome of the
first action which l have taken as the
leading statesman of the empire.
Whatever this outcome may be l know
it will find Germany firmly resolved and
united either for an upright peace which
rejects every selfish violation of the rights
of others or for closing of the struggle
iVt iiIS anu uSdtH W WHICH our people
would be forced without our own fault
if the answer to our note of the Powers
opposed to us should be dictated by will
to destroy us.
do not despair over the thought that
this second alternative may come. / know
the grestnes of the mighty powers vet nos
sessed by, our people and know that the
incontrovertible conviction that they were
only fighting for our life as a nation would
double these powers lapplausel.
hope, however, for the sake of all man.
kind that the President of the United States
will receive our offer as we mean il. Then
the door would be opened to a speedy,
honorable peace of justice and reconcilia.
tion for Ill q ,yell far I...rl I,...,..a-L-