At the parade which precedes the annual military manceuvres in
Germany the Emperor delivered last Saturday a speech which is variously reported. The official agency states that the Emperor " spoke somewhat as follows " :—" We Germans are a people who rejoice in arms. Therefore we bear our arma- ments easily and gladly because we know they guard and preserve for us that peace amid which alone our labour ban flourish. As long as there are wars our armed forces are the rock of bronze on which peace rests. To preserve this peace and guard the position in the world which is our due is the object of our forces and of the days of exertion imposed upon them. I am, however, firmly con- vinced that our Army will stand its tests well, with God's help and under God's protection." The sentences which are omitted from this official report, but are present in other versions, are, according to the Berlin correspondent of the Daily Mail, as follows :—" As long as the human race endures there will be enemies and enviers, and as long as there are enemies and enviers we must be protected against them. Therefore there will also be 'prospects of war and war itself, and we must be ready for all eventualities."
