were to declare
ourselves satisfied with a general disarmament, that in itself would
be a great advantage and an important step towards peace.

My speech on October 2, 1917, at Budapest, on the necessity of
securing a reorganised world was prompted by the argument that
militarism was the greatest obstacle in the way of any advance in that
direction.

At Budapest on that occasion I was addressing an audience of party
leaders. I had to take into consideration that too pacifist a tone
would have an effect at home and abroad contrary to my purpose. At
home the lesser powers of resistance would be still further paralysed,
and abroad it would be taken as the end of our capacity for fighting,
and would further check all friendly intentions.

The passage in my speech relating to the securing of a new world
organisation is as follows:--

The great French statesman, Talleyrand, is supposed to have said:
words are merely to conceal thoughts. It may be that it was true
respecting the diplomacy of his century, but I cannot imagine a
maxim less suited to the present day. The millions who are
fighting, whether in the trenches or behind the lines, wish to
know why and wherefore they are fighting. They have a right to
know why peace, which all the world is longing for, has not yet
been made.

When I entered upon office I seized the first opportunity openly
to state that we should commit no violence, but that we should
tolerate none, and that we were ready to enter into peace
negotiations as soon as our enemies accepted the point of view of
a peace of understanding. I think I have thus clearly explained,
though on broad lines only, the peace idea of the Austro-Hungarian
Monarchy. Many at home and also in friendly countries abroad have
reproached me for speaking so openly. The arguments of the said
critical gentlemen have only confirmed my belief in the justness
of my views. I take nothing back of what I said, convinced as I am
that the great majority of people here and in Austria approve my
attitude. Following on these introductory remarks, I feel called
upon to-day to tell the public how the Imperial and Royal
Government will deal with the further development of the utterly
distorted European conditions.

Our programme for the reconstruction of the world organisation,
preferably to be called the building of a new world organisation,
is given in our answer to the peace Note of