“ The increasing exhaustion of Austria-Hungary and Turkey, the menace of almost irreparable financial ruin and the prospect of genuine famine in the near future—famine such as must inevitably continue for many months, even after the conclusion of a tolerable peace—may at any moment reduce Germany’s two foremost Allies to desperation; and though there is no intention of breaking away from the alliance, and though Germany’s military control of her partners is more effective than ever, the consequences of the latter’s exhaustion are equally incalculable and disquieting. ”

“ Germany’s land connection with the East must be cut, the Turks must be ejected from Europe, the 35,000,000 Slavs and Latins whom Germany is ruthlessly exploiting in a quarrel which is not theirs, must be set free to live their own lives without foreign interference. ”

“ Moreover, Germany is well aware that any serious prolongation of the war will strain to the breaking-point the economic and financial resources of her own people and lead to the gravest social consequences. But, above all, Germany is desirous of peace because, while she realizes that she has definitely failed in her sea-aims, she has succeeded in her land-aims to a degree which seems to offer her ample compensation in Europe for her losses in Africa. ”