PROCLAMATION OF THE GERMAN REPUBLIC TO THE RETURNED SOLDIERS.
Nov. 22nd 1918.
Comrade :-
The German Republic welcomes you home with its heartiest greeting. You went forth to fight for a country in which you had no voice; in which all power and property were vested in a handful of dictators. It was your lot to hold your tongues and fight; while hundreds of thousands with you held their tongues and died.
Today you come back to your own land — a land in which, in the future, no-one will control and order save the people alone, amongst whom you are now about to take your place again.
The revolution has broken the spell. Germany is free. Our Socialist Republic shall enter the League of Nations as the freest of them all.
You will find awaiting you, all the political rights which have hitherto been denied to you. Your homeland shall economically become your property and heritage.
It is our determination that no-one shall any longer exploit your labour. The Government called into being by your fellow-workers and comrades and possessing their confidence - will provide you with work and will protect your interests. It will provide better wages, an eight hour day, provision for the unemployed, and an extension of the Insurance Act. It will remedy the housing difficulties, and socialise those industries suitable for the purpose.
All this is in progess, and is already in part law. We welcome you as the men who are to be the pillars of the New Republic and the guarantors of its future.
You will find amongst us a shortage of food and of industrial products. There is much need and suffering in the land. But we can be saved only by the co-operation of all, by work in the spirit of solidarity. Only a Germany possessing a secure government, grounded in the confidence of the workers and soldiers can obtain from our former enemies that for which for four years you have fought and yearned - - Peace.
Committee of the People's Council:
Ebert, Haasem Scheidemann, Dittmann, Landeberg, Barth.
