To the German people!
A new coup has descended on Germany.
The blow of the French fist hits the unprotected vital point of the German economy with well-calculated force, long foreseen and yet unexpected.
Foreseen: because the plans and wishes of Parisian power politics were discussed without hesitation in the streets and markets.
Unexpected: because there was always the hope that the economic sense of the French people would curb the political greed of those in power.
If the belief really prevailed that the French needs could be remedied by destroying the German labor center, the worst disappointment must follow.
Against the advice of experts from all over the world, France wants to do the test.
We are convinced that the attempt must fail.
But we lack the power to prevent this act of delusion, which is directed against Germany and against the entire economy, on our own.
We tried everything that could be done to ward off the disaster.
To alleviate and end the disaster that has broken in will be our thoughts and aspirations.
In doing so, we are guided by the dignity and the rights of the nation, with which we empathize, also in the power of a good conscience.
All hearts are filled with the immense bitterness of this hour, when the fate of having to endure foreign rule is befalling other parts of our fatherland.
Increased hardship for our troubled people must result from the incursion into the capitals of our work.
All the more urgently, however, is the call to all comrades: do not make the lot of the hardest hit compatriots any harder.
Fulfill the demand of the day with an upright will and a clear head: No action may be taken that damages our just cause.
Heaviest guilt towards his own people would be shouldered by those who allowed themselves to be carried away by an ill-considered act and played into the hands of the enemy.
The weal and woe of the whole depend on the iron self-control of each individual.
Now more than ever, shine before us the example of dignity and moral vigour, set by the Rhineland through years of suffering.
Above all, our greetings go to the faithful Rhenish-Westphalian brothers today.
You will keep the solid oak tenacity that is your ancient inheritance, and unbroken you will survive this storm, you who no storm in the history of the world has ever uprooted!
You are the witnesses of how peace and justice are being broken again.
With you we raise a protest before the world against the breach of the contract, against the serious breach of our people's moral right to life, existence and self-determination.
A difficult time is beginning, probably even more difficult than the years you have been through since the war.
Nobody can say how long the test will last.
We only know that the misery is increased and prolonged if people and state do not meet it in inseparable unity.
But we also know that and we hope that if the whole people stand together firmly, they will be overthrown.
We want to shake hands and make hearts strong.
In town and country, let us devote the next Sunday, under all the external pressure, to internal rebellion and commemorate our fatherland, its suffering and its rights, everywhere through all German districts in house and hut!