• The German Chancellor on Tuesday addressed the Reichstag in
a long and designedly obscure speech, mainly designed to persuade the outer world that the trifling Constitutional changes which have been promised really amount to a. new and democratic system of government. " The German people has long been in the saddle and now it is to ride." In regard to the peace proposals, he spoke with " the greatest reserve." If there was no choice but " a posture of defence," the Government, " in the name of the German people," would issue " a call for national defence." In any case, " the German people must not be blindly brought to the Conference table." " It is not our strength that will decide what we think right, but what is thought right in free discussion with our opponents will give that decision—a great effort for a proud people accustomed to victory ! " Prince Max is still far from recognizing that the Allies will not bargain but will dictate their terms. His curious remark that " the legal question will not stop at our national boundaries, which we will never of our own accord open for violence," seems to hint at the necessity of surrendering Alitace-Lorraine, in accordance with President Wilson's programme. On the other hand, Prince Max said that Alsace was to have a new mode of government under an Alsatian Governor and an Alsatian Secretary of State, as if he still hoped to retain Alsace within the German Empire. These inten- tional ambiguities are in accordance with the evil traditions of Prussian statecraft, which is still very much alive.
