Who can deny that Europe groans under the weight of an armed peace? It is mutual distrust which keeps the nations in arms against each other. If this distrust can in any way be removed, it will be rather through an understanding between government and government than through other means, such for instance as the Babylonian confusion of international fraternity, international parliaments, and other suggested means of like nature. Gentlemen, all nations are equally in need of peace, and I am convinced that all nations will maintain peace as long as they are strong enough to command it. Many people look upon the government as a species of hostile power whom one cannot sufficiently curb and trammel. I consider, however, that it should be strengthened and supported in every possible way; a weak government is a misfortune for any country and a source of danger to its neighbors. We have all of us witnessed the outbreak of wars which were wished for neither by the head of the state nor by the nation itself, but only by the leaders of parties, who had set themselves up as their spokesmen, and who had drawn after them the impressionable crowd and, at last, also the government. Cravings after annexation and longings for revenge, dissatisfaction with the state of internal affairs, the striving to draw towards one's self kindred nations which, in the course of time over, fresh developments, and therefore it is that I am afraid that we shall still, for some time to come, have to wear the heavy armor which our historical development, and our position in the world, have forced upon us.... We have also to consider the constant growth of the armies around us. Russia had good grounds, even before the Turkish war, for adding considerably to her already strong military forces, and after the conclusion of peace she carried out and preserved this organization. Russia has created 24 new reserve infantry divisions and 24 new reserve artillery brigades, and has, in addition, formed 4th battalions for 152 regiments. The Russian press, which is now so agitated, maintained profound silence with regard to this measure, and the whole proceeding obtained hardly any notice in the foreign press.
As regards France, I have not read the article quoted from the Prussian annuals. By the help of the data which are at my disposal, I arrive at quite a different result from that obtained by the former speaker. I will only give a few of the principal figures, and will spare you the details. In the 1870 campaign France opposed us with 8 army corps; at present she possesses 19. At that time she had 26 infantry divisions, there are now 38; then there were 26 cavalry brigades, now there are 37. The strength of the French army on its first formation amounted to 336,000 men; at present, France can oppose us with 670,000 men, according to the budgetary figures. This does not include the territorial army. I arrive at the result that France has, since 1874 -- that is to say, in six years -- more than doubled her army .... Who would further wish to recall the days when, at the dictation of a foreign ruler, German contingents were forced to march against Germany? No, gentlemen, let us, before all things, protect the honor and safety of the empire; let us defend the long wished for, the finally attained unity of the nation; let us continue to maintain peace so long as we are not attacked, and to enforce peace even abroad, according to the measure of our strength! Possibly we shall not stand alone in this endeavor, but may find allies. There lies in this no threat to anyone, but rather a pledge for a continuance of peace in our part of the world, provided, of course, that we are strong and ready armed. With weak forces, with armies that have to be called up, we cannot achieve our object; the fate of every nation rests with itself.