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From the Balcony of the Palace, Berlin, July 31, 1914.
A fateful hour has fallen for Germany.
Envious peoples everywhere are compelling us to our just defense.
The sword is being forced into our hand. I hope that if my efforts
at the last hour do not succeed in bringing our opponents to see
eye to eye with us and in maintaining peace we shall with God's
help so wield the sword that we shall restore it to its sheath
again with honor.
War would demand enormous sacrifices of blood and property from the
German people, but we should show our enemies what it means to
provoke Germany.
And now I commend you to God. Go to church. Kneel down before God
and pray for His help for our gallant Army.
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