Hindenburg's Speech

Field Marshal von Hindenburg, addressing the Veterans' League in Hanover: "We do not wish to instigate war, but in view of the present realities we cannot deny the truth of Schiller's words: 'The most peaceful person cannot live in peace if a wicked neighbor does not wish it, and the nation is unworthy that does not stake everything upon its honor.'" Hindenberg concluded his oration by paying a warm tribute to the loyalty of the workers in the Ruhr and exhorting his hearers to stick by the Vaterland "especially in these difficult times."