The Czar, as an individual, is most certainly not the instigator of the unspeakable horrors that are now inundating Europe.  But he bears before God and posterity the responsibility of having allowed himself to be terrorized by an unscrupulous military clique.

Ever since the weight of the crown has pressed upon him, he has been the tool of others.  He did not desire the brutalities in Finland, he did not approve of the iniquities of the Jewish pogroms, but his hand was too weak to stop the fury of the reactionary party.  Why would he not permit Austria to pacify her southern frontier?  It was inconceivable that Austria should calmly see her heir apparent murdered.  How could she?  All the nationalities under her rule realized the impossibility of tamely allowing Servia’s only too evident and successful intrigues to be carried on under her very eyes.  The Austrians could not allow their venerable and sorely stricken monarch to be wounded and insulted any longer.  This reasonable and honorable sentiment on the part of Austria has caused Russia to put itself forward as the patron of Servia, as the enemy of European thought and civilization.

Russia has an important mission to fulfill in its own country and in Asia.  It would do better in its own interest to leave the rest of the world in peace.  But the die is cast, and all nations must decide whether they wish to further us by sentiments and by deeds, or the government of the Czar.  This is the real significance of this appalling struggle, all the rest is immaterial.  Russia’s attitude alone has forced us to go to war with France and with their great ally.

The German Nation is serious and conscientious.  Never would a German Government dare to contemplate a war for the sake of dynastic interest, or for the sake of glory.  This would be against the entire bent of our character.  Firmly believing in the justice of our cause, all parties, the Conservatives and the Clericals, the Liberals and the Socialists, have joined hands.  All disputes are forgotten, one duty exists for all, the duty of defending our country and vanquishing the enemy.

Will not this calm, self-reliant and unanimous readiness to sacrifice all, to die or to win, appeal to other nations and force them to understand our real character and the situation in which we are placed?

The war has severed us from the rest of the world, all our cable communications are destroyed.  But the winds will carry the mighty voice of justice even across the ocean.  We trust in God, we have confidence in the judgment of right-minded men.  And through the roar of battle, we call to you all.  Do not believe the mischievous lies that our enemies are spreading about!  We do not know if victory will be ours, the Lord alone knows.  We have not chosen our path, we must continue doing our duty, even to the very end.  We bear the misery of war, the death of our sons, believing in Germany, believing in duty.