THE PRESIDENT'S REPLY

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 25, 24 October 1918, Page 7

THE PRESIDENT'S REPLY

(Ecc. October 23, 7.50 p.m.) Washington, October 22. President Wilson is not expected to answer the Gernuvn Note until twentyfour hours have elapsed—Aus.-N.15. Cubic- Assn. ,

A CLUMSY TRAP. (Hec. October 23, 7.50 p.m.)

Washington, October 22. Senator Lodge, in a statement, eayst "Germauy'6 latest Note is a clumsy trap 6et merely to involve the United States in diplomatic discussions. Tho Note is varnished over with false flattery. It is inconceivable that anyone could be taken in by it. Tho only answer ought to be— Germany must surrender uncondition-ally."—Aus.-N.Z.' Cable Aesn. MR. TAFT'S VIEW "WE AEE NO NEARER PEACE." Philadelphia, October 22. Mr. W. H. Tuft, in tho ■ course of an interview, said: "Another German Peaco Note has come, but we are no"nearer peace. Germany became a country with a popular Government overnight, aa it were, but where are the Hohenzoilems ? Have they surrendered, and who controls the Gorman Army and Navy? It is difficult to be patient with eiich a travesty. This, time wo hope ati answer will bo sent closing .the chapter of useless negotiations. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Aesn. AMERICAN PRESS OPINION. New York, October 22. The Press in New York and othor cities generally consider that Germany knows shs is beaten, but is unwilling to surrender at tli6 present stage. All the papers agree that the Note is unsatisfactory. Tho New York "Times," commenting .on the German Note, sayjs: "The reply reads false. It is coloured with thosedeceptions ana hypocrisy we have come to regard as inseparable from the processes of the German mind. In making the, denials of its crimes the Gorman Government is guilty of flagrant falsehoods. Germany will be compelled to complete her journey to the point of full surrender." '

The New York "Times" correspondent at Washington says: "It was pointed out in well-informed quarta-e that there is nothing in the Uerinan Note which guarantees Germany's good faith in democratising her Constitution. The officials generally collider that the Note does not afford a. basis upon which the Allies can enter peace negotiations. The Note is variously characterised as cunningly devised, shifty, equivocal, and subtle—AU6.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

"A MERE QUIBBLE"

' WHAT LONDON THINKS OF THE NOTE.' . London, October 21 The Cabinet Council has considered the German reply, but as it technically concerns the United States only there has been no public announcement. . The general impression is that the reply is utterly unsatisfactory, that it amounts to a mere quibble, and that it fails to recognise Germany's military defeat. Military men scoff at the idea that an actual standard of power on both sidea shall form tho basis of an armistice, and point out that the first axiom of strategy is to conceal military strength. Military opinion is that the reply indicates that the Gciinuu Higli Command is more optimistic about, the situation of their armies than when the request for nn armistice was launched. The retirement so far hae not been disorderly, and the enemy believe,? ho has now reached a line where ho will be able to halt temporarily and thus for the time being etave oif iinal defeat. Colonel Eepington, writing in the Daily News," says: "From the British, viewpoint tho pence guarantees must firet be naval, then colonial. Wo linvo suffered overmuch from the enemy's lawlessness and inhumanity at sea to grant an armistice, leaving him power to renew his depredations. The Dominions unanimously refuse to permit the German flag to reappear on any colonial territory winch tneir arms have conquered." . . . Naval opinion favours a demand for the surrender of all the U-boats prior to an armistice. A prominent Labour member of the House of Commons said: "My. answer to tho Huns is, 'Go to Hell!'"-Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

PRESS COMMENT. . London, October 22. The newspapers generally regard tbe German reply as nn admitted desire to guiii time. Germany shows no sign Hint she is reiuly to accept (ho. Allies' terms, but rather hopes to gain an armistice on Urine of tho military status mio. Such an armistice would stop the flow of Americana across the Atlantic, and meanwhile Germany would be recirpThe "Daily Chronicle" says: "Dr. Solf's propositi represents one stage along the downward pathway of surrender, which he desires to make gradual. We do not know whether President Wilson will continue the interchange of Notes by himself or will prefer now to associate tlie Allies with future replies. At any rate ho is not likely to be easily satisfied." Tho "Daily News" states: "If President Wilson regards the reply as suili-

cient he will submit the appeal for an armistice, and the naval and military authorities will indicate what guarantees are required. These guarantees will furnish a practical test of the sincerity of the demand and the present power of the military rulers." The "Daily News" urges the Allies to be armed for any omergencv. It is urgently necessary to co-ordinate the Entente's political front. The "News" also declares that a section of the Press is playing the German game in hinting that" the European Allies must have their own policy. The "Daily Telegraph" says: "It\ is time to end negotiations to which there can be no result while Germany is in her pVesent mood."—Aus.-N./i. Cable Assn. (Eec. October 23, 7.35 p.m.) London, October 22. The "Pall'MallGazette" says: "While the country admires I'resident Wilson's skill in turning the enemy's tricks against themselves it does not lose sight of the fact that force alone is the true guarantee'of all we are fighting: for. A point has been reached where, it -is hoped, Mr. Lloyd' George will sum up the position for the country's benefit. Britain will naturally claim a leading voice in the naval terms of settlement, in the disposal of the German colonies, uiid in the question of reparation for outrages on her mercantile ■marine."—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn. The "Star" calls the Note "The Last Shuffle." The "Westminster Gazette" interprets the Note as asking that the present military position be accepted as the limit to the Allies' victory and the basis of peace, and adds: "This is wholly unacceptable."—United Service.

FRENCH OPINION

WILFULLY EQUIVOCAL AND TOETUOUS. Paris, October 22. Parliamentary circles mid the Press regard the German reply as wilfully equivocal and tortuous, specially as regards an armistice. They do not consider the pretended constitutional reforms afford a' guarantee of duration.— Eeuter. . (Eec. October 23, 7.50 p.m.) Paris, October 22. ' "L'Homme Libre" says: "The German reply is an evil scrap of npper impregnated with lying and hypocrisy."—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn. THE SITUATION IN GERMANY MILITARY PARTY GAINS ASCENDANCY London, October 22. The tone of the German Press indicates that the militarists have regained control for the time being. I Captain Persius, writing in the "Tageblatt," forecasts an early and great expansion of submarine warfare. 1 Count Eeventlmv demands "the retention of Alsace-Lorraine, the sacrifice of which would be incompatible with our honour." "Vorwaerts" says: "The Pan-Germane are only waiting for the. signal to stop peace negotiations to attempt an overthrow of the Government, establish a dictatorship, and continuo the war to the uttermost."—Aus.,-N.Z. Cable Assn. LTJDENDOEFF PLAYING A STRONG HAND. London. October 22. The "Daily Chronicle's correspondent at Amsterdam says that information from Germany shows that von Ludendorif is playing a strong hand, with considerable military support and the threat of a coup d'etat. Von Ludcndorif has 1 told Hie Government that the Army is i carrying out an orderly retreat; and that "one cannot retreat a beaten army." The new lino would be in a favourable position to influence events. Ludendorif and Hindenljurg ars at variance. Hindenburg approves the peace move, but Ludendorff, who half-heartedly supported it, is now inclined to place everything on a, hazard again. This attitude is supported by flaming appeals to various organisations, from the Navy League to the Socialist trade unions, all condemning peace at any price.—Aus.'-N.Z. Cable Assn.

SHEARING THE AVOLP. Amsterdam, October 22. Hen , . Maximilian Harden, editor cf the "Zukunft," addressing. several thousand people in Berlin, declared that the Kaiser must shoulder tha cross of seeking a peace based on the military superiority of the enemy, and must thereafter be shorn of his despotic powers.—Keutcr. EVACUATION AND DEMOBILISATION, v Washington, October 22. The Government leanw by dispatches from Copenhagen that the German railToa'ds have been asked to propare i.'.ot only for the evacuation of the occupied territories, but for the actual demobilisation of the German Arniy.—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn.