or.
(_Photo from Brown Brothers._)]

DECLARES FOR WAR.[01]

Speech Delivered in the Reichstag, Berlin, Afternoon of Aug. 4.

A mighty fate has descended upon Europe. Because we were struggling
for the esteem of the German Empire in the world, we have for
forty-four years lived in peace and safeguarded the peace of
Europe. In peaceful industry we have become strong and mighty and
in consequence envied. With patience we have borne that, under the
pretext that Germany was desirous of war, hostility toward us was
being nursed and chains forged for us both in the East and in the
West.

We wished to continue to live in peaceful industry, and, like an
unexpressed vow, there was passed on from Kaiser to the youngest
soldier: "Only in defense of a righteous cause shall our sword be
drawn." (Hearty applause.) The day when we must draw it has
appeared, contrary to our desire, contrary to our honest efforts to
avoid it. Russia has applied the firebrand to the house. We find
ourselves in a forced war with Russia and France.

Gentlemen, a series of documents, composed in the rush of events,
is in your hands. Allow me to place before you the facts which
characterize our attitude.

From the very beginning of the Austrian conflict we strove and
worked toward the end that this trouble remain confined to
Austria-Hungary and Servia. All Cabinets, especially that of
England, take the same stand; only Russia declares that she must
have a word in the decision of this conflict. Therewith the danger
of European entanglements arises. As soon as the first authentic
reports of the military preparations in Russia reached us we
declared in a friendly but emphatic manner in St. Petersburg that
war measures and military preparations would force us also to
prepare, and that mobilization is closely akin to war.

Russia asserts in what is an apparently friendly manner that she is
not mobilizing against us. In the meantime England tries to mediate
between Vienna and St. Petersburg, in which she is warmly supported
by us. On July 28 the Kaiser telegraphed the Czar, asking him to
consider that Austria-Hungary has the right and that it is her duty
to defend herself against Servian intrigues, which threaten to
undermine her existence. The Kaiser called the attention of th