THE REPLY TO GERMANY

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 26, 25 October 1918, Page 5

THE REPLY TO GERMANY

PRESIDENT WILSON'S LATEST NOTE By Telegraph-Press Association-Copyright (Bee. October 24, 8.20 p.m.) Washington, October 23. President Wilson, replying to Germany's Note, demands Germany's surrender and the enforced abdication of the Kaiser. President "Wilson states that the nations of the world do not trust those who have been masters of German policy. The President says he has transmitted to (ho Allies his correspondence with Germany, and suggests if they feel so disposed they may establish, together with the United States, terms of such an armistice as would fully protect the Allies' interests. He states that the United States cannot deal with any but the veritable representatives of the German people, and must be assured of their genuine constitutional standing as the real rulers.of Germany. Any armistice must make a renewal of hostilities by Germany impessibft. Following the issuance of the Note tho Government announced that the shipments of/"che United States troops to France during tho war exceeded two millions, and the Government was prepared, if necessary, to apply the doctrine of force without rtint.—Aia.-N.Z. Cabie Assn.

PRESIDENT IN TOUCH WITH THE ALLIES

New York, October 23. President Wilson consulted Allied Governments with tho object of ascertaining their views in reference to his reply to Germany. It' is understood that he was largely guided by the altitude of the Supreme War -Council.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

THE ENEMY'S- LOST COLONIES

UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES CAN THEY BE RETURNED,

(Eec. Octobor 24, 10.30 p.m.)

» „ London, October 2.1. Speakingat the Australian and New Zealand Club luncheon in London, Mr. A, J. Balfour (Foreign Secretary), alluding to tho question of the German colonies, said that it was absolutely essential that the British Empire's communications should remain safo. If tho German colonies were returned,' what security was there that their original possessors would not use them as bases for piratical warfare? He could seo no othor answor to this question than that in no circumstances was it consistent with the safety, security, and unity of the Empire that these colonies should be returned to Germany.' (Applause.) This was not a selfish, Imperialistic doctrine. It was one in which tho interests of tho world were almost as much concerned as were the interests of the Empire itself. .If wo were to remain u united Empire it was absolutely nccesaarv that, the ways whereby its component parts communicated with each 'other should never again be at the mercy of an unscrupulous Power. (C'hecre.)—Router.

THE riIANf'PTT AU'C QDUITni Ilia boAIMULLUII o orlllllH

A FULLER REPORT

modifications of military rule. Amnesties for political prisoners hud already been decreed. Ho emphasised that they bid been proposed by the Kaiser, this the Chancellor's new form of government harmonised with constitutional precedents. Ho anticipated criticisms iff the political changes, but welcomed them, because opposition was the breath of Parliamentary life. The Chancellor asserted that he and his colleagues were unanimous ( in their purpose of giving the German people political authority. Prince Max concluded by extolling the Army, which was confronted by superior forces, and appealing to the people to defend the soldiers against unjust charges, find to give the Army the men, material, and food it needed.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

Amstordam, October 23. Iα his speech in tne Reichstag, the Chancellor (Prince Max) said tUat the whole of the German people were anxious to hear tho Government's views on the prospects of the success of the peaco effort., The President's tirsfc answer to the German Government's peace move had brought the question of a peaco of justice, or a peace by violence to the forefront in all countries. Ho hoped that President Wilson's next answer would set all doubts at rest. Until then the German people must prepare for both eventualities; either (hat the enemy Governments wero anxious for war, in which case tho Germans would fight on tho defensive with the force of people driven to. the last extremity; or for going to tin; conference table. $ In the latter case the German people were entitled to ask what peace, based on President Wilson's conditions, would mean far. Germany's future. That was a question of stupendous import, for i: would not be ■ Germany's strength that would' decide what was right; tho decision would result from what was thought right in a freo discussion with their opponents. That was a great effort for a proud people accustomed to victory. It had been represented to him that the acceptance of President Wilson's conditions would mean the submission of questions of legality to nn anti-German couirt of justice. If that wero so, why, asked' the Chancellor, did tho extreme apostles of force in the Entento fear the council chamber as tho guilty feared the court of justice?

The essence of President Wilson's progrumme was 11 League of Nations, which meant the abandonment of. unqualified national independence and sovereignty both by Germany and the pther Powers. If the, Germans maintained as fundamental that, national egoism which till recontly had been dominant, the bitterness thereby engendered would cripple them for generations. They must comprehend that the significance of this frightful war was a victory for the idea of justice, nntl if they submitted to this Men, they would find therein a cure for iheir present wounds and a reservoir of future strength. When he advocated a League of Nations as a source of consolation and a now force, ho did not deny that- heavy opposition must be overcome before the idea was realised. Whatevqr the next few days or weeks brought, whether war or peace, the German peoplo would be best prepared for either by carrying out the Government's programme, and definitely breaking away from the- old system. Reforms Outlined. The Chancellor then outlined the reforms in the Prussian franchise and of the imperial Government,' by which the Reichstag shares the responsibility with the'Chnncellor for tho Imperial, policy; and also a _measure of Autonomy for Alsace-Lorraine. Prince Max said tho reform measures include a Bill for altering the Imperial Constitution, in order to embody the fundamental idea of a now form of government. This Bill would give tho Reichstag, us the House of the people's representatives, a joint resposibility in deciding for peace or war, but not till the Leagae of Nations .takes practical shape an abolishes secret treaties. He dealt at length with tho

New York, October 23. The New York "Times" correspondent at Washington states that Swiss officials havo announced that the German Note will not bo delivered until Wednesday, and that the official text will clear up certain obscure passages in tho wireless version. It was pointed out that as there wero only troopships and transports on the high seas, tho German order to stop sinking passenger ships was of littlo consequence. Generally speaking, the German Note puzzles Washington. Some people think the Note to 1» a clumsy effort to tell the world that Germany is really reforming her Government without admitting it in so many words. Others think it is an attempt to continue negotiations in the hone that President Wilson will be induced to be more merciful in imposing terms. DISHONEST-PHRASE-MAKING DR. SOLFS NOTE A MASS OF SUBTLETIES. Washington, October 23. The Swiss Chmrgo cl' Affaires, M. Oederoin, submitted the official text of the Gorman Noto to Mr. Lansing at 10 o'clock this morning. It is expected that M. Oederoiii did not assume tho reuponsibility for the translation of tho text from tho German, because of tho subtlety of Dr. Solf's words. The American Government will use its own staff to translate the. German text into English. A cursory (reading of the official text shows that it is practically identical with the wirelessed text. In some quarters it is believed that tho difficulty in determining the exact meaning of some passages is due to deliberate shuffling of words by the German Government in order to obscure the meaning. It is considered that the Kaiser's retention of power to make war in the event of the invasion of Germany defeats the entire purpose of the Roichstag reform. It is pointed out that the Kaiser would be the judge of what constituted invasion, and would retain practically all power in making war. Public opinion is firmly crystallising into a determination that the Note should be refused.— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. AMERICAN COMMENT ON KING GEORGE'S SPEECH. New York, October 23. The Now York newspapers give prominenco to King George's speech to the inter-Pairliamontary delegates. It is considered that his words, "Victory is within our reach, and wq are all agreed it must be a complete victory," is the British opinion concerning the German Noto.—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn.