ould stand
armed and ready to protect our inheritance and the acquisitions of
1870, have not yet passed. The hour of trial for the German nation
has struck, but we are facing it with confidence. [Stormy
approval.]

Our army is in the field, our fleet is ready for battle, and behind
it stands the entire German Nation. [Enthusiastic applause from the
entire house.] The entire nation! [with a gesture particularly
directed toward the Social Democrats. Renewed applause, in which
the Social Democrats also joined.] You, gentlemen, realize your
duty in its entirety. The question needs no further consideration,
and I request speedy action. [Enthusiastic applause.]

* * * * *

[01] The Times of London contained on Aug. 12, 1914, the following:

"The statement made by the German Imperial Chancellor to the Reichstag
on Aug. 4, which we published yesterday and reproduce below, lends
piquancy to a communication that reached us from an influential quarter
in Germany on Aug. 2. The communication, which we give in its original
form, bore the name of a personage holding a prominent position in
Germany, and standing in a close personal relationship to the German
Emperor. It was evidently timed for publication on the morning of Aug.
3, the day of Sir Edward Grey's historic speech in the House of
Commons":

Aug. 2, 1914.

I hear with astonishment that in France and elsewhere in the world
it is imagined that Germany wants to carry on an aggressive war,
and that she had with this aim brought about the present situation.
It is said that the Emperor was of the opinion that the moment had
come to have a final reckoning with his enemies; but what a
terrible error that is! Whoever knows the Emperor as I do, whoever
knows how very seriously he takes the responsibility of the crown,
how his moral ideas are rooted in true religious feeling, must be
astonished that any one could attribute such motives to him.

He has not wanted the war; it has been forced upon him by the might
of the circumstances. He has worked unswervingly to keep the peace,
and has together with England thrown his whole influence into the
scales to find a peaceful solution, in order to save his people
from the horrors of war. But everything has been wrecked upon the
attitude of Russia, which in the midd