The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-10-24
MAX is APPROVED
BY THE REICHSTAG


issue n call for national defence in the
same way that it spoke for the German
people when Il took action for peace. He
who honestly took a stand on the basis
OF peace will also undertake the duty
OF not submitting to a peace OF violence
without a fight The Government which
would act otherwise would be left to the
mercy of the fighting and working peo-
pie. 1t would be swept away by public
opinion.
The German people must not be blindly
brought to the conference table. The
German people to-day have the right to
ask, IL peace Is realized on the basis
of President Wilson'S conditions what
they mean for our future. Our answe.
to the Presidents question must be
framed on the German peoples under
standing of that question. What II
now wants Is clearness.
Great Effort for Proud People. DO
The decision will be Of stupendous
import 1t will not be our strength that
will decide, but It will be what IL thought
TO be right In free discussion with our
opponents that will give the decision.
This Is a great effort for a proud people
accustomed to victoryl The legal ques-
lions involved will not stop at our ma
tlonal boundaries. which we will never
OF our own accord open for violence.
The principles upon which we have
agreed as a rule Of conduct also involve
internal questions From many quarters
II has been represented to me that an
acceptance of President Wilson's con-
ditions would mean submission-anti-
a. rtt mr. n
court of justice, which would decide
legal questions entirely from the view
point OF Its own interests II that is
the case, why then is 1t the extreme
apostles of force in the Entente fear
the council chamber as the guilty rear
the court Of justice?
The essence OF President Wilson 8
programme for n league of nations can
not be achieved when all peoples have
not the right of national self-determina-
ton. This realization of community
law means the abandonment OF part OF
the unqualified Independence which
hitherto has been the indication OF sover-
eighty both by US and others. Should
we at homo maintain as fundamental
the national egoism which until short
time ago was the dominating force OF
the peoples life there would be no re5ti-
tuition and no renovation for us. There
would be a feeling of bitterness which
would cripple US for generations.
But If we comprehend that the sig
nifcarce OF this frightfui war Is above
all victory for the idea OF justice. and
If we do not resist this idea, but sub
nit with all good faith, then we shall
find in 1t a cure for our present wounds
and a reservoir Of future strength
Equal to War OF Peace.
Prince Macmillan said that he would
not deny that heavy opposition In Ger
many must be conquered before the ideal
league of nations could be realized, but,
he continued:
whether the next few days or weeks
shall call us to fight on or open the way
to peace there is nc doubt We are now
equal to the task Of either war or peace
by carrying out the Governments pro-
gramme and definitely breaking away
from the old system
"Our first and last thought the
Chancellor continued, is for the brave
men who are defending themselves
against superior forces and whom we
must defend against unjust charges
No one must think he can attack our
army "llnOul hlSo n1NoNhihH khO 'SiiS'
OF our people.
The lot of our soldiers to-day is ter
ribly hard. They fight with anxiety for
the homeland and with their minds fixed
on peace, and they hold their ground
We trust and thank them. We cry &c
them The homeland will not abandon
you. What you want, what IT can give
in men. material and food that you
shall have"
The Chancellor declared 1t was the
aim of himself and his colleagues to es-
tablish the political authority of the
German people. After saying that he
welcomed expressions of opinion and
that he and his colles CUES were agreed
as to methods and purposes he added:
"Our aim is the political authority OF
the German people. This is the guild.
ing star of my collaborators and my.
self"