Emperor and of his Iron Chancellor. It is for us to administer further the legacy that has come down to us. Just as in our individual efforts and in our sports we summon up and exert all our powers to reach our goal, so too we must do the same for our Fatherland. We must be in a position to take to heart and to exemplify practically one of the finest utterances coined by the Iron Chancellor. We must so live and act that we shall at all times say with him: "We Germans fear God and absolutely nobody and nothing else in the world." With this feeling I raise my glass and ask you to drink with me to the city of Hamburg, the Regatta Association, and the Hamburg-American Line--Hurrah! Hurrah! Hurrah! IX AT THE OUTBREAK OF THE WAR As there is no official edition of the Emperor's recent addresses, the following five speeches and decrees are taken from the _Frankfurter Zeitung_. FORCING THE SWORD INTO HIS HAND BERLIN, JULY 31, 1914 On the 31st of July the Emperor made the following address from the balcony of the Royal Palace in Berlin: A grievous situation has come upon Germany. Envious nations on all sides are forcing us to justified defense. They are forcing the sword into my hand. If my attempts are not successful in bringing our opponents to their senses and in keeping peace at the eleventh hour, I hope that with God's help we may so use the sword that we may be able to sheathe it again with honor. Enormous sacrifices in life and property would be demanded from the German people by a war; but we would show the enemy what it means to attack Germany. And now I bid you go to the church, bow down before God and ask His help for our brave army. AN END OF PARTIES BERLIN, AUGUST 1, 1914 After the order of mobilization, the Emperor made the following brief speech from the window of the Royal Palace: If we must have war, all parties cease. We are only German brothers. In times of peace this or that party has attacked me; I forgive them now with all my heart. If our neighbors are not satisfied to leave us in peace, then we hope and pray that our good German sword will come out of the struggle victorious. OPENING OF THE REICHSTAG BERLIN, AUGUST 4, 1914 The Emperor opened the special session of the Reichstag with the following address: HONORED GENTLEMEN: