Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-10-07
ADDRESS OF PRINCE MAX
TO GERMAN REICHSTAG
Submits Publicly and Without Delay the Principles Upon
Which He Proposes to Conduct Grave
Responsibilities of Office.

W Wy emu that treaties shall contain
provisions concerning the protection
or labor and insurance of iaborers..
which provisions shall oblige the
,,rre treat making states to institute in
scrioed time Il minimum OF similar, or
at least equally. efficient institutions
for the care of laborers in the ease of
illness or on account of invaldism.
READY TO STAND FOR
MORE GREAT HARDSHIPS
OF direct Importance are the con-
clusions which the government has
been able to draw from the situation
in which it finds itself and TO apply
practically to the situation. More than
four years OF bloodieSt Struggle against
a world of numerically superior enc
mics are behind us, years full of the
hardest battles and most painful sac
heart and full of confident faith IN
our strength. resolved TO bear still
f heavier sacrifices for our honor, and
posterity IL 1t cannot be otherwise.
we remember with deep and warm
tho splendid leadership, have accom-
plshed almost supcrhuman deeds
throughout the whole war, and whose
the fate of us all will also in the future
be in good and dependable hands in
their keeping; For months con
to the incompatible neroism of our
army. which Will live as an immortal
glorious page in the history. of. the
German people for ali times. the front
is unbroken.
This proud conscientiousncss per-
iidence. But just because we are In
spired by this feeling and the convic-
tion that IT Is also our duty 20 make
certain that the bloody struggle be not
protractcd for a single day beyond the
moment when Il close of the war seems
possible to us which does not affect our
~ Nnf IN n mi Z
to-day to take step to further the
idea of peace.
TELLS OF SENDING NOTE
TO AMERICAS PRESIDENT
supported by the consent of all duly
authorized persons i'm the empire, and
by consent OF all our allies acting IN
concert with us. l sent on the night of
october 40, through the mediation
the United States. Ill 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 be-
| cause he in his message TO Congress
| January S, 1918. and in his later pro-
clamations. particularly in his New
York speech, of September p, proposed
| 4 program FOR a general peace which
| we can accept us basis for neGotia-
| lions.
II have taken this step not only for
| the salvation of Germany and its al
| lies, but Of all humanity. which has
| been suffering for years through the
war.
| Il have taken it also because be-
| lieve the thoughts regarding the flu
turc we'll being of the nation which
were proclaimed by Mr.. Wilson are iii
ished by the new German government
and with il the overwhelming major
| ity Of our people.
| $50 far as am personally concerned
| SDeeCheS assem-
b!ages my hearers will testify that the
| conception which | hold Of IL future
] was entrusted with the leadership
| of the empires affairs.
tScction missng.)
Il see. hence. no distinction what
ever between the national and inter-
national mandates Of duty in respect
| OF peace. For me the deciding factor
with equal honesty acknowledge these
mandates as binding. and respect them
| as is the ease with me and with other
members of our new government, and
so. with inner peace. which my clear
conscience as a man and as servant
of the people EirSs me, aud which
in this great and true people. this peo-
pie capable of every devotion and upon
their glorious armed power. ] await
the outcome of the first action which
I have taken as the leading statesman
of the empire.
PEACE MUST REJECT
EVERY SELFISH MOTIVE
whatever this outcome may be.
know IL will find Germany firmly re-
solved and united either for an up
right peace which rejects every sell
fish violation OF the rights of others or
for closing of the struggle for life
and death to which our people would
be forced without our own fault. if the
answer TO our note of the powers OPP
posed to us should be dictated by n
will to destroy us.
II do not despair over the thought
that this second alternative may come.
| know the greatness of the mighty
powers yet possessed by our people
and | know that the incontrovertible
conviction that they were only fight
ing for our life as IL nation would
double these powers.
~ hope. however. for the sake OF
al! mankind that the President of the
United States will receive our offer
as we meant il. Then the door would
he opened to speedy. honorable peace
of Justice and reconciliation for us as
we'll as for our opponents"