Kaiser Wilhelm II: Speech to German Soldiers About to Embark on Expedition to Peking
July 1900
Bremerhaven, Germany
Great overseas tasks have fallen to the newly arisen German Empire, tasks far greater than many of my countrymen expected. It is in character for the German Empire to meet the obligation of defending its citizens who are being oppressed in foreign lands. These tasks that the old Holy Roman Empire was not up to, the new German Empire is in position to perform. The means that makes this possible is our army. During thirty years of peaceful labor it has been built up according to the principles of my late grandfather [Wilhelm I, 1861-88.] You, too, have received your training according to these principles and shall now test them before the enemy. Your comrades in the navy have already undergone this test and have demonstrated that the principles of our training are sound. I am proud of the praise from foreign leaders which your comrades have earned over there. It is for you to do the same.A great task awaits you: You must see to it that a serious injustice is expiated. The Chinese have overturned the law of nations. Never before in world history have the sanctity of diplomats and the obligations of hospitality been subjected to such contempt. It is all the more outrageous that these crimes have been committed by a nation which prides itself on its ancient culture.
Maintain the old Prussian virtue. Show yourselves Christians in the joyful bearing of sorrow. May honor and fame follow your banners and your arms. Give all the world an example of manliness and discipline. Well you know that you shall be fighting against a sly, brave, well-armed, and cruel foe.
When you come upon him, know this: Pardon will not be given. Prisoners will not be taken. [2] Bear your weapons so that for a thousand years no Chinaman will dare even to squint at a German.
Carry yourselves like men, and the blessing of God go with you. The prayers of the entire nation and my good wishes go with you, each and everyone. Open the way for civilization once and for all! Now you can depart! Adieu, comrades!
Background: Soldiers were being deployed to defend German and European interests in China following news of the murder of the German envoy.
Source:
Schroeder, W. ed. (1912). Das persönliche regiment: reden und sonstige öffentliche Äusserungen Wilhelms II.
(R. Levy, Trans.). Text 2. Retrieved from https://www.h-net.org/~german/gtext/kaiserreich/china.html
July 1900
Bremerhaven, Germany
Great overseas tasks have fallen to the newly arisen German Empire, tasks far greater than many of my countrymen expected. It is in character for the German Empire to meet the obligation of defending its citizens who are being oppressed in foreign lands. These tasks that the old Holy Roman Empire was not up to, the new German Empire is in position to perform. The means that makes this possible is our army. During thirty years of peaceful labor it has been built up according to the principles of my late grandfather [Wilhelm I, 1861-88.] You, too, have received your training according to these principles and shall now test them before the enemy. Your comrades in the navy have already undergone this test and have demonstrated that the principles of our training are sound. I am proud of the praise from foreign leaders which your comrades have earned over there. It is for you to do the same.A great task awaits you: You must see to it that a serious injustice is expiated. The Chinese have overturned the law of nations. Never before in world history have the sanctity of diplomats and the obligations of hospitality been subjected to such contempt. It is all the more outrageous that these crimes have been committed by a nation which prides itself on its ancient culture.
Maintain the old Prussian virtue. Show yourselves Christians in the joyful bearing of sorrow. May honor and fame follow your banners and your arms. Give all the world an example of manliness and discipline. Well you know that you shall be fighting against a sly, brave, well-armed, and cruel foe.
When you come upon him, know this: Pardon will not be given. Prisoners will not be taken. [2] Bear your weapons so that for a thousand years no Chinaman will dare even to squint at a German.
Carry yourselves like men, and the blessing of God go with you. The prayers of the entire nation and my good wishes go with you, each and everyone. Open the way for civilization once and for all! Now you can depart! Adieu, comrades!
Background: Soldiers were being deployed to defend German and European interests in China following news of the murder of the German envoy.
Source:
Schroeder, W. ed. (1912). Das persönliche regiment: reden und sonstige öffentliche Äusserungen Wilhelms II.
(R. Levy, Trans.). Text 2. Retrieved from https://www.h-net.org/~german/gtext/kaiserreich/china.html