New York Times Current History: The European War from the Beginning to March 1915, Vol 1, No. 2 | Page 4

a coming attack. They will
not suffer that we maintain resolute fidelity to our ally who is fighting
for its position as a great power and with whose humiliation our power
and honor would equally be lost. So the sword must decide.
In the midst of perfect peace the enemy surprises us. Therefore to arms!
Any dallying, any temporizing would be which our fathers founded; to
be or not to be, is the question for the empire which our fathers founded.
To be or not to be German power and German existence. We shall
resist to the last breath of man and horse, and shall fight out the
struggle even against a world of enemies. Never has Germany been
subdued when it was united. Forward with God, who will be with us as
He was with our ancestors!
Berlin, Aug. 6. WILHELM.
* * * * *

JOY IN GLORIOUS VICTORY.
Speech of Kaiser at a Parade During Swift German Advance Toward
Paris.

Comrades: I have gathered you around me here in order to take joy
with you in the glorious victory which our comrades have in several
days of hot battle won with their swords. Troops out of every nook and
cranny of the empire helped one another in invincible bravery and
unshakable loyalty to win great results. There stood together under the
leadership of the son of the Bavarian King and fought, with equal
blades, troops of all ages, active, reservists, and landwehr.
For our victory we are thankful, in the first place, to our God, (unserem
alten Gott.) He will not desert us, since we stand for a holy cause.
Many of our comrades have already fallen in battle. They died as
heroes for the Fatherland. We will think of them with honor here, and
shout to the honor of those still in the field. Hurrah! Hurrah! Hurrah!
We still have many a bloody battle before us. Let us hope for further
successes like this. We shall not relent, and we shall get to the enemy's
hide. We shall not lose our faith and trust in our good old God up there,
(unserem guten alten Gott dort oben.) We are determined to win, and
we must win.
* * * * *

FIRST SUCCESSFUL BATTLE.
Telegram from Kaiser Wilhelm II. to Chief of Troops in Upper Alsace,
Aug. 15.
Grateful to God, Who was with us. I thank you and your troops for the
first victory. Please convey to all the troops which took part in the fight
my imperial thanks in the name of the Fatherland.
YOUR CHIEF WAR CAPTAIN.
* * * * *

A PRAYER FOR VICTORY.
By the Kaiser's Order to Supreme Council of the Evangelical
Church--To Be Included in the Liturgy Throughout the War.
Almighty and merciful God! God of the armies! We beseech Thee in
humility for Thy almighty aid for our German Fatherland. Bless the
entire German war force, lead us to victory, and give us grace that we
may show ourselves to be Christians toward our enemies as well. Let
us soon arrive at the peace which will everlastingly safeguard our free
and independent Germany.
* * * * *

"UP AND AT THE FOES."
Kaiser's Farewell Speech to First Regiment of Foot Guards at Potsdam.
I draw the sword that with God's help I have kept all these years in the
scabbard. I have drawn the sword, which without victory and without
honor I cannot sheath again. All of you will see to it that only in honor
is it returned to the scabbard. You are my guarantee that I can dictate
peace to my enemies. Up and at the foes, and down with the enemies of
Brandenburg!
* * * * *

ON VICTORY NEAR METZ.
From Cabinet Order of Kaiser Wilhelm II., Published in Berlin Aug.
23.
The mobilization and concentration of the army is now complete, the
German railways having carried out the enormous transport movements
with unparalleled certainty and punctuality. With a heart filled with
gratitude my first thoughts turn to those who since 1870-71 have

worked quietly upon the development of an organization which has
emerged from its first serious test with such glorious success. To all
who have co-operated with them I wish to express my imperial thanks
for their loyal devotion to duty in making possible in obedience to my
call the transportation of armed masses of German troops against my
enemies. The present achievement [near Metz] convinces me that the
railways of the country will be equal to the heaviest demands that
might be made upon them during the course of the gigantic struggle in
which we are engaged for the future of the German Nation.
* * * * *

THE SPIRIT OF THE MEN.
Kaiser's Telegram