Essays, Speeches, and Memoirs of Field-Marshal Count Helmuth Von Moltke (Volume 2); Drafts of Speeches in the "Customs Parliament" ( Zollparlament) Speeches in the Reichstag and in the Prussian House of Lords. Memoirs of the Field-Marshal. in Memoriam (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1893. Excerpt: ... is obviously desirable tbat those officers, who under the burden of advancing years feel that their physical infirmities interfere with the proper execution of their duties, should not be forced to continue a service which is beyond their strength, out of anxiety for the future both as regards themselves and those belonging to them. But, Gentlemen, we have to do in the present instance not only with this particular class of persons, however numerous, but we have to consider also a question of grave political import to the State. The remark was made here on a previous occasion, "Who would have thought that, after a war which had produced such changes in Europe, peace would have been preserved for fifteen years?" Gentlemen, we owe this blessing to the wisdom of our Emperor and to the policy of our Chancellor--a policy (so far as we can judge) such as the world has never seen before, which has enabled a powerful State at once to solve internal social problems, and to make use of its might, its prestige, and its ascendency, not for the oppression of its neighbours, but for the maintenance of peace with them--and not only that, but for the promotion of peace amongst the neighbours themselves. But, Gentlemen, such a policy can only be carried through when supported by a powerful. army ready for war. The machine of State, deprived of this mighty driving-wheel, must come to a standstill, and the diplomatic notes of our Foreign Office would no longer carry weight. The army, Gentlemen, has been the foundation upon which it has been possible to establish this policy of peace; the army it is which assures weight and support to diplomatic action, but only so long as it is really efficient, and capable of intervening when a peaceful solution is no longer attainable. An...