These unctuous words were amplified by the Chancellor's description of
the way Germany wages war :—
" Ur:confused by asseverations, we progressed on our way with firm decision, and we thus continue our progress, always ready to defend ourselves and to fight for our nation a existence, for its free and safe future, and always ready to stretch our hand for peace. Our strength has not made our ears deaf to our responsibility before God, before our own nation, and before humanity. The declarations formerly made by us concerning our readiness for peace were evaded by our adver- saries. Now we have advanced one step further in this direction. On August 1st, 1914, his Majesty the Emperor had personally to take the gravest decision that ever fell to the lot of a German—the order of mobilization, which he was compelled to give as the result of the Russian mobilization. During these long and earnest years of war the Emperor has been moved by a single thought : how peace could be restored so as to safeguard Germany after the struggle in which she has fought victoriously."
