Of course we cannot allow a territory which we should evacuate according to our conditions of the peace to become a stronghold for our enemies, we cannot allow the adversaries of Germany to settle there. There should not be any possibility of the hostile feelings of the inhabitants revealing themselves in hostile actions, which might threaten the peace and security of our border-provinces. Such dangers can be averted and we trust that suitable and effective measures will be chosen and applied to accomplish this. _But those measures should not after all lead to annexation in any form._ With our whole nation we share the conviction that this war will end in a complete victory of Germany. All those heroic deeds, those endless sacrifices and labors, all this military glory and all the sorrow borne in mute heroism, entitle Germany to a price of victory corresponding—as far as that is possible—to what she has sacrificed. The highest price will be the proudly acquired knowledge that Germany need not fear a world full of enemies, and the unprecedented display of strength she has shown before all the nations of the earth and the generations yet to come. The German nation can only conclude a peace which assures the foundations of the strategical wants, of the political and economic interests of the country and the unimpeded development of its strength and its energy at home and on the free seas. We trust that with the help of the bodies indicated by the Constitution Your Excellency may succeed in obtaining such a peace resolutely, while we are in the zenith of our military successes. PROPOSALS OF SOUTH GERMAN SOCIAL DEMOCRATS [Sidenote: South German Social Democrats.] 1 a. Restitution of status quo ante, or 1 b. Plebiscite in disputed territories (Alsace-Lorraine, Schleswig, Poland, Baltic Provinces, Finland, Trentino). International possession of Bosphorus, Dardanelles, Suez Canal, Gibraltar, and Kiel Canal. 2. No indemnifications. 3. Confederacy of all European States. 4. Limitations of armies and navies. People’s army for defense only. 5. Alliance of all against aggression. 6. International Parliaments and permanent international committees in place of diplomacy. 7. International police. International law-courts for minor international offenses. 8. Guarantees of democratic government: equality of electoral district, ten-year redistribution, proportional representation, payment of members. PEACE AIMS OF GERMAN SOCIALISTS: CONFERENCE OF PARTY’S MEMBERS IN REICHSTAG WITH MEMBERS OF PARTY COMMITTEE. (Reported in New York _Times_, August 26, 1915.) [Sidenote: Socialist Joint Committee.] 1. Peace must be a permanent one, leading the nations to closer relations. 2. Germany’s opponents must not be permitted to acquire any German territory. 3. “Most favored nation” clauses should be introduced into peace terms with all belligerents. 4. Tariff walls should be removed.