Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1918-10-07
GERMANY IS ANXIOUS


CONTINUED from page one)
ing statesman confidently assume his
part of the responsibility in the service
of folk and Fatherland.
"My resolve to do this has been es-
pecially hghtened for me by the fact
that prominent leaders of the laboring
class have found way in the new gov
ernment to the highest offices of the
empire. 1 see therein a sure guarantee
that the new government will be sup
ported by the firm confidence of the
briad masses of the people, without
whose true support the whole undertake
inf would be condemned to failure IN
advan e. Hence, what 1 say today, I
say not only in my. own name and those
of my official helpers, but in the name
Of the German pepOle.
"The programme of the majority par
/ ties upon which take my sUlns soa-
tains, first, an acceptance of the ans
wer of the former imperial government
| to Pope Benedict's note of August l,
1916, and an unconditional acceptance
of the reiehstag resolution of July 10,
the same year. 1t further declares viii.
lingness to join a general league of ma
tions based on the foundation of equal
rights for all, both strong and weak.
SIT considers this solution of the Bal.
gian question to lie in the complete re.
habilitation (wiederherstelhng) of Bel
gium; particularly of its independence
and territorial integrity. An effort shall
also be made to reach an understanding
on the question of indemnity.
Treaties Repudiated.
"The programme will not permit the
peace treaties hitherto concluded to bs
hindranee to the conclusion of a gen
eral peace. Its particular aim is that
popular representative bodies shall be
formed Immediately on broad basis
! in the Baltic provinces, in Lithuania and
Poland. We will promote the realiza
tion of necessary preliminary con
ditions therefor without delay by the
introduction of civilian rule. All these
lands shall regulate their constitutions
and their relations with neighboring
peoples without external interference
''In the matter of international poh
cies, have taken clear stand through
the manner in which the formation Of
the government was brought about
Upon my motion, leaders of the major
ity parties were summoned for dire
advice. 1t was my conviction, gentle
men, that unity of imperial Leadership
should be assured not only though mere
party allegiance by the different mem
bers of the government.
Peace Is Desired.
"I considered almost still more i'm
portant the unity Of ideas. proceeded
from this viewpoint and have, in max
ing my selections, laid greatest weight
on the fact that the members of thS
new imperial government stand on ;
basis of just peace of justice, regard
less of the war situation, and that they
have openly declared this to be theii
standpoint at the time when We stood
at the height of our military successes
81 am convinced that the manner il
which imperial leadership is now con
stituted with cooperation of the reich
stag is not something ephemeral, an(
that when peae comes government
cannot again be formed which does no
find support in the reichstag and doe
not draw its leader therefrom.
"The war has conducted us beyond
the old multifarious and disrupted party
life which made it so difficult to pu
into execution a uniform and decisive
political wish. The formation Of a ma
jority means the formation Of politi
cal will and an indisputable result o.
the war has been that in Germany, fol
the first time, great parties have join
ed together in firm, harmonious pro
gramme and have thus come into posi-
tion to determine for themselves thu
fate of the people.
i Troops are Praised.
"We remember with deep and warn
gratitude our brave troops who, unde
splendid leadership, have accomplished
almost superhuman deeds Throughout
the whole war and whose past deed
are a guarantee that the fate of us al
will also in the future be in good ant
dependable hands in their keeping. Fol
months continuous, terrible and mur
derous battle has been raging in the
west. Thanks to the incompatible hero
ism of our army, which win live as al
immortal, glorious page in the history
of the German people for all times, the
front in unbroken.