But I hope we may survive the war, and I hope also that they will ultimately revise the conditions of the London conference.

Let but old Hindenburg once make his entry into Paris, and then the Entente _must_ utter the decisive word that they are willing to treat.

But when that moment comes, I am firmly determined to do the utmost possible, to appeal publicly to the _peoples_ of the Central Powers and ask them if they prefer to fight on for conquest or if they will have peace.
To settle with Russia as speedily as possible, then break through the determination of the Entente to exterminate us, and then to make peace--even at a loss--that is my plan and the hope for which I live.

Naturally, after the capture of Paris, all "leading" men--with the exception of the Emperor Karl--will demand a "good" peace, and that we shall never get in any case.

The odium of having "spoiled the peace" I will take upon myself.
So, I hope, we may come out of it at last, albeit rather mauled.
But the old days will never return.