III (a) Is it known to the Government that the mass of German people demand for themselves the right to decide about the external policy of Germany, that they demand abolition of secret diplomacy in favor of permanent public control of foreign policy and its general democratization? (Italics, S. Z.)
(b) Is the Government prepared to bring in the course of the present session of the Reichstag a bill which will fulfill the demand above mentioned and submit the decisions on questions of war and peace to the people's representatives?
Minister of Exterior v. Jagow: The Government is not willing (Italics, S. Z.) to correspond with the wishes of Dr. Liebknecht and to propose such a change in the Constitution. With this answer the rest of the question is also answered.
Fourth Question
Does the Government know in what economic distress the masses of the German people labor on account of the war and on account of the desire in capitalistic circles for profits and the impotence of the Government in dealing with the situation? Is the Government now ready to check this economic distress by improving the general welfare without further delay and by putting aside all special interests, and taking the necessary steps to provide for the population the necessary means of living (food, clothing, shelter, heat and light); especially by regulating production according to the general welfare? And by commandeering products and by the uniform distribution of foodstuffs in such a way that the needy may get sufficient food free or at low cost?
Minister Director Dr. Lewald: The Imperial Chancellor declines to answer the question.
Dr. K. Liebknecht: A supplementary question (great merriment). Does the Government recognize that according to experiments up to this time general commandeering of products....
President Dr. Kaempf: This is not a supplementary question but a new question.
Dr. K. Liebknecht: I ask the floor for another supplementary question (great commotion and merriment). Will the Government put into operation as soon as possible the decisions of the Budget Commission in line with these demands?
Minister Director Lewald: In the name of the Imperial Chancellor I refuse to answer this supplementary question.