Citizens of the United States!

In this earnest moment in which you are leaving the soil of Germany and Berlin, take with you from German citizens, from representatives of trade and industry, who are proud to entertain friendly commercial relations with the United States, a hearty farewell coupled with the desire of a speedy return.

Together with this farewell we beg you to do us a favor.  As our guests, whom we have always honored and protected, we ask you to take this paper with you as a memorial and to circulate the same among your authorities, press, friends, and acquaintances.

For, we are well aware that the enemies of Germany are at work to make you the instruments to lower Germany’s people and army in the face of the whole world in order to deceive foreign nations as to Germany’s policy and economical power.  We ask you, as free citizens face to face with free citizens, to circulate the real truth about Germany among your people as compared to the lies of our enemies.

We beg you to take the following main points to heart: 

     1.  The German Emperor and the German Nation wanted peace.  The
     cunning and breach of faith of our opponents have forced the
     sword into the hands of Germany.

2.  After war has been forced on us the German Nation, Emperor, and Reichstag have granted everything in the most brilliant unanimity for the war.  No difference prevails in Germany any longer, no difference between party, confession, rank or position, but we are a united nation and army.

3.  Our military organization and our mobilization has proceeded with splendid precision.  The mobilization was accomplished during the course of a few days.  In addition to those who are compelled to serve, more than 1,200,000 volunteers have offered their services.  All civil organizations, from the head of industry and finance to the smallest man downward, vie with each other in works of voluntary aid and welfare.

     4.  In the field German arms have had splendid successes in the
     first days of mobilization.

In the east the Russian enemy has been driven from the German frontier, in numerous small fights by our troops in conjunction with those of the Austro-Hungarian monarchy.  By successful coup de mains our navy has been successful in damaging and alarming our Russian opponent in her Baltic naval ports.  The Russian port of Libau has been burned down and in Russian Poland revolution has already begun.  Russian mobilization is a long way from being accomplished, the troops are badly, poorly nourished, and many deserters sell their weapons and horses.

In the west the German Army has gained imposing victories over Belgium and France.

In Belgium, where the population unfortunately committed the most barbarous atrocities against peaceful Germans before the war broke out, comparatively weak German forces conquered the strong fortress of Liege a few days after the mobilization, inflicting severe damage on the enemy and opening up the way via Belgium to France.