The German Emperor as Shown in His Public Utterances

recent addresses, the following five speeches a

E SWORD IN

July 3

e the following address from the ba

ents to their senses and in keeping peace at the eleventh hour, I hope that with God's help we may so use the sword that we may be able to sheathe it again with honor. Enormous sacrifices in life and proper

D OF

August

Emperor made the following brief spee

rty has attacked me; I forgive them now with all my heart. If our neighbors are not satisfied to leave

OF THE R

August

ial session of the Reichsta

d Gent

ween the great powers. The most serious dangers to which the events in the Balkans had given rise seemed to have been overcome-then suddenly an abyss was opened through the murder of my friend the Archduke Franz Ferdinand. My lofty ally, the Emperor and King Franz Joseph, was forced to take up arms to defend the security of his empire against dangerous machinations from a neighboring state. The Russian empire stepped in the way of the allied monarchy following out her just interests. Not only our duty as ally calls us to the side of Austria-Hungary, but it is our great task to protect our own position and the old community of culture between the two empires against the a

as been making itself felt in the east and in the west for a long time past has now broken out in bright flame. The present situation is not the result of passing conflicts

war that has been forced upon us, with a clear conscience and a clean hand we take up the sword. I issue my call to the peoples and stocks of the German Empire, that with their united strength they may stand like brothers with our allies in order to defend what we have created through the works of peace. Following the example of our fathers, staunch and tr

ARMY

August

ing statement was issue

great conflict and to make great sacrifices. I have confidence that the old warlike spirit still lives in the German people, that powerful warlike spirit which attacks the enemy wherever found and at whatever cost and which has always been the fear and terror of our

)?Willi

August

N TO THE GE

August

tion was issued on the

German

th folded arms we should watch our enemies prepare themselves for an underhand attack. They do not wish to allow us in loyal determination to stand by our ally, who is fighting for his position as a great power and with whose humiliation our own power and honor will also be lost. So the sword must decide! The enemy surprises us while we are entirely at peace. Therefore, to arms! Any wavering, any hesitation would be treachery to the Fa

)?Willi

August

riber'

er errors hav

een retained except in clear

angiers chan

getable changed

moved to the beginning o