File No. 763.72/3527
The Chargé in the Netherlands ( Langhorne) to the Secretary of State
[Received March 17, 2:30 a.m.]
779. It is evident from reports from Germany that the Chancellor’s speech in the Prussian Lower House on the 14th, in which he definitely committed himself to more democratic government in Prussia and the German Empire was political event of the utmost importance and has greatly strengthened his position. His speech was not prepared but he spoke with deep earnestness and made a profound impression on his hearers. He now commands the confidence of the parties of the Left and the Center. The Liberal press takes the speech as the harbinger of a new epoch. Frankfurter Zeitung writes that a democratic German Empire, the outlines of which are just visible, must and will come since the will of the German people imperiously demands it; for the war has made citizens of the German people and awakes their will to say how they shall be governed. The Berlin Tageblatt says no successor of the Chancellor will ever be able to repudiate the principles to which he has committed himself since they are the principles cherished [by] the vast majority of the German Parliament.
The Socialist Leinert, who spoke after the Chancellor, said that desire at the front was one of determination to do a good job, first with the English, and then with the Prussian Junkers; that the people were fighting to bring the enemy to reason and not for the designs of the Junkers.
The election to fill Liebknecht’s Reichstag seat reports an overwhelming victory for Stahl, the candidate of the regular Socialist Party, over the candidate of the Socialist opposition.