PRESIDENT WILSON'S FRANK REPLY

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 27, 26 October 1918, Page 7

PRESIDENT WILSON'S FRANK REPLY

CANNOT TRUST GERMANY'S MILITARY MASTERS

MUST DEAL WITH PEOPLE'S REPRESENTATIVES

Washington, October 24. After covering the points.reported in previous cablegrams, the text of President Wilson's reply, to Germany adds :--"Should tho Allied Governments to whom will be submitted the correspondence, deorii an armistice possible from a military point of view, the acceptance of such terms as might'be laid down would afford tlio best concrete evidence of Germany's unequivocal acceptance of tho terms and principles of peace from which thq wholo action proceeds." President "Wilson then proceeds:—"The President would deem himself lacking in candour did'he not point out in the frankest possible terms tho reason why extraordinary safeguards must be demanded. Significant and important as the constitutional changes seem to be which are spoken of by the German foreign Secretary, it does not appear that tho principle of a Government responsible to the German people has yot been fully worked out, or that any guarantees either exist or'are ,in contemplation; thot the alterations in principle and practice now practically agreed upon will be permanent. Moreover, „it does not appear that the heartof the present, difficulty has been reached. It may bo that future wars have been brought under tho "control of the Gorman people; but the present war has not been, and it is with the present war that we are dealing. .It is evident that the German people have no means'of commanding the acquiescence of the military authorities of the Empire in the popular will; that the power of the King of Prussia to control the policy of tho Empire is unimpaired; and that the. determining'initiative still remains with those who havo hitherto been the masters of Germany. Feeling that the whole peace of the world depends now on plain speaking and straightforward action,-the President deems it is his duty to say, without.any attempt to soften what may seem harsh words, that the nations of'the world do not, and cannot, trust tho word of those who have hitherto been responsible for the German policy, and to point out once more that in concluding poace and attempting to undo'the infinite injuries and injustices of this war, tho Government of the United States cannot deal with anj- but the veritable representatives of the German people, who have been assured of a genuine consitutional standing as the rulers of Germany. ]f i.t must deal with the military masters and monorchial autocrats of Germany now, or..if it is likely to have to deal with them later in regard to the international obligations of the German Umpire, it must demand not peace negotiations, but surrender. Nothing can be gained by leaving this essential thing unsaid."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn— lieutor.

UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER MUST BE INSISTED UPON

REALITY OJ CONSTITUTIONAL CHANGES DOUBTED.

~.,„.,,, , N e « York, October 24.. Opinion m regard to the Presidents reply somewhat varies, but, the general comment is favourable. It is believed that the reply is tantamount to a demand for Germany's unconditional surrender or her consent to an.armistice en terms which would practically force her capitulation. Some Senators and public men consider the reply to be satisfactory, while others express regret that President Wilson did not flatly impose an unconditional surrender. Mr, W. H. Taft said -.-"This .message is the strongest Note that has como from the President. Ho is getting nearer and nearer to a demand for an unconditional surrender, and for (he first time ho fully recognises the part our Allies are to play in peacemaking." . Senator Lodge has said:—"While T agree that if we must deal with autocratic Germany wo must insist upon an unconditional surrender, my opinion is that there is no German Government existing with which to' discuss anvlhing. I deploro any exchange of Notes with Germany at this stage, when wc aro advancing : to complete.victory. Our-only rauzJe now is to demand an unconditional surrender. When reports como'that the German Annv has surrendered, then tho Allies.and .the United States can agree on what terms to impose."- •

Tho Press throughout the country generally praises the Note, but a few papers regret the exchange of Notes with Germany. There'is (indisposition in some quarters to doubt whether the German Note justifies'the Press'conclusions that Germany "unreservedly accepts" President Wilson's terms for peace. The "Now York Times," in an editorial, says:—"lt is plain that the meaning of "the President's answer is that if Germany is not ready to lay down her arms, then the war must continue until she is forced to-lay them down: The. doubts expressed by the President as to the reality of ihe changes in the form of the German Government are shared by the peoplo of all the countries arrayed against her."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. ■ . - BRITISH PRESS OPINIONS SATISFACTION EXPRESSED WITH PRESIDENT WILSON'S NOTE. .. (liee. October 25, 10.35 p.m.) '■ London, October 24. The "Westminster Gazette" says that.the democratic nations will be grateful to President Wilson for forcibly projecting the issues between a free people and-a military despotism into the foreground. The choice now rests with the Genhan people to 6ay who shall rule them. > The "Pall Mall Gazette" says:—"President. Wilson carries an iron hand under a velvet glove. His answer will bo enthusiastically endorsed by the peoples and armies of the civilised Powers.."—Aus.-N.Z.. Cable Aesn. ■ (Rec. October 25, 9.45 p.m.) ■•■.''■' '■_..',■ London, October 24. The "Standard" comments, saying:—"President Wilson's reply means that the war will continue until Germany admits her complete defeat, disposing of any fear that President Wilson would be hoodwinked by Prussian trickery or involved in a long discussion of empty generalities."—United Service. (Kec. October 25, 11,50 p.m.) • ■...:'.■ London, October 24. President Wilson's reply has elicited widespread satisfaction. Theeveniug papers acclaim it as a document of unusual candour, clearness of thought and expression, contrasting ; wonderfully with the Chancellor's verbal entanglement, j It will materially-assist to clarify the situation.—Router. ITALIAN FEELING DISTRUSTFUL OF GERMANY'S 'NOTE. ' ' : (Eee. October 25, 11.50 p.m.) ■-■•:■ •• .' Rome>October 24. Italian feeling is strongly distrustful of Germany's Note, and claims that a dissolution of the enemy States from within or a complete victory on enemy territory has now become necessary.—"The Times." • ..V GERMANY'S DESIRE FOR AN ARMISTICE TO PREPARE FOR A DEFENSIVE,WAR; (Rec. October 25, 11.50 p.m.) ■ ■;.,,- London,. October 24. Regarding the efforts to obtain an arinistice, it remains to be-seen whether they mean'more' than an''effort to unite Germany for a defensive war on' tho Meuse line. Until some other aim is shown it is the safest to conclude that the German- General Staff-still dominates the situation, and that this is its carefullythought-, out plan.—Aus.-N.Z.. Cable Asen. ' ' r • ' WHAT THE ARMISTICE TERMS WOULD INCLUDE. '~ Vancouver, Ootober 24. . The United Press Agency at Washington learns that the armistice terms would include the occupation if munitions plants, the Allies to take of the' battleships, the surrender of tho U-boats, and tho evacuation' of AlsaceLorraine and Poland.—Ausl-N.Z, Cable Assn: . (Eec. October 25, 9.45 p.m.) .... London, October 24. •The draft armistice includes a demand for the immediate exchange of all prisoners on tha lines of The Hague Agreement-United Service. DISAPPEARANCE OF THE WAR LORDS' OR A CONTINUANCE OF FIGHTING. . Washington, October 24. Official circles are already debating the probable terms of an armistice which are likely to be formulated for presentation to Germany. The belief is expressed that' President Wilson has finished Note-writing, and that unless Germany will agree to his latest stipulations the correspondence will end. The position is described as "Germany's surrender and the disappearance of her War Lords or we will continue fighting."—Aus.-N.Z, Cable Asen.

REICHSTAG EXPRES iES CONFIDENCE IN PRINCE MAX (Rec. October 25, 7.20 p.m.) \ Amsterdam, October. 21. In the debate in the Reichstag following upon Prince Maximilian's - speech, Herr AVestßrp 6aid:—"We expect the lvHt io continue with new.strength' After President Wilson's second answer we will stand by the Government. ; Germany will never accept a dishonourable peace." Horr Neumann 1 6aid:'"We'-were entitled to hope for victory. after our military s successes. We. hear to-day " with bitterness that we have lost." .The.Reichstag, passed, it resolution of-confidence in Prince Max.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable A6sn. ..■■'.ov<.s r.\:'., GERMANY'S PEACE STEPS APPROVED BY VON HINDENBURG. (Rec. October 25, 7.20 p.m.) ,'•,-.. Paris, October 24. Von Hindenburg, in' a. message to the troops, which was read to all units, says:—"Recent' political events' have produced a profound impression in ■ the Army. It is my duty to support the Government set up by the Kaiser. I approve, of the steps made in favour of peace. The German Army has this superiority over all others, that neither, the officers nor the men have ever dabbled in politics. We wish to adhero firmly to this policy. • I rely on'the confidence reposed in me during the days of good fortune being even more, strongly evidenced now."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. ' MEASURES TO FORM AN INDEPENDENT GERMAN-AUSTRIAN STATE. (Rec. October 25, 7'.20 p.m.) . Amsterdam, pctober 24. Advices from Vienna states that the German deputies in the Re'ichsrath met as a constituent German National Assembly. ■It resolved' to take measures to form an independent German-Austrian State, having a voice in the peace negotiations.—Reuter. ■

SCHEME FOR A LEAGUE OF NATIONS

BRITAIN TRYING TO'REACH AGREEMENT WITH. THE'ALLIES

(Rec. October 25, 11.50 p.m.)

, ~ ,V'" ,r. i • , ■», London, October 24.-. . In the House of Commons replying to Mr David Davits, lord Robert Cecil: •Under-Secretary of Affairs) stated that the Government-was trving"to reach agreement with the Allies and thoJUmted States, to,enable a detailed scheme for a League of Nations to be-drafted.—Reuter. ,