Part 397 — The Mighty Fate of Europe
Reading edition
As Interpreted by Theobald von Bethmann-Hollweg, German Imperial Chancellor.
"YOUR HEARTS FOR GOD, YOUR FISTS ON THE ENEMY."
Speech from Balcony of Chancellor's Official Residence, Berlin, Aug. 1.
At this serious hour in order to give expression to your feelings for your Fatherland you have come to the house of Bismarck, who with Emperor William the Great and Field Marshal von Moltke welded the German Empire for us.
We wished to go on living in peace in the empire which we have developed in forty-four years of peaceful labor.
The whole work of Emperor William has been devoted to the maintenance of peace. To the last hour he has worked for peace in Europe, and he is still working for it. Should all his efforts prove vain and should the sword be forced into our hands we will take the field with a clear conscience in the knowledge that we did not seek war. We shall then wage war for our existence and for the national honor to the last drop of our blood.
In the gravity of this hour I remind you of the words of Prince Frederick Charles to the men of Brandenburg:
"Let your hearts beat for God and your fists on the enemy."
AS ONE MAN FOR THE KAISER.
Speech from Balcony of Royal Palace, Berlin, Aug. 2.
All stand as one man for our Kaiser, whatever our opinions or our creeds. I am sure that all the young German men are ready to shed their blood for the fame and greatness of Germany. We can only trust in God, Who hitherto has always given us victory.