PEACE TALK.

Taranaki Daily News, 26 October 1918, Page 3

PEACE TALK.

GERMAN RULERS CANNOT BE -., TRUSTED. PRESIDENT WILSON'S FRANK WORDS. •"'.«.''' Washington, Oct. 24. After covering the points already cabled, the text of Mr Wilson's reply adds: Should the Allied Governments, to whom he had submitted tiie correspondence, deem an. armistice possible from a military point of view, the acceptance of such terms as might be laid down would afford the best concrete evidence of Germany's unequivocal acceptance of the terms and principles of peace from which the whole action proceeds.

Mr Wilson then proceeds: "The President would deem ihimself lacking in candour did he not point out in the frankest possible terms the reason why extraordinary safeguards must be demanded. Significant and important us the constitutional changes seem to be, which are spoken of by the German Foreign Secretary, it does not appear that the principle *of a Government responsible to the German people has yet been fully worked out, or that any guarantees either exist or are in contemplation What the alterations of principle and practice now practically agreed upon will be permanent. "Moreover, it does not appear that the heart of the present difficulty has been reached. It may be that future wars have been brought 'under the control of the German people, but the present war has not been, and it is with the present war we are dealing. it is evident tlhat the German people have no means of commanding the acquiescence of the military authorities of Empire in the popular will, that the power of the King of Prussia to control the policy of the Empire is unimpaired, that the determining initiative still remains with those who have iliithcrto been masters of Germany.

"Feeling that the whole pence of the world depends now on plain speaking and straightforward action, the President deems it his duty to say, without any attempt to soften what may seem harsh words, tlhat the nations of the world do not and cannot trust the word of those who have hitherto guided German policy and to point out once, more that in concluding peace and attempting to undo the infinite injuries and injustices of this war the Government of the United States cannot deal with any but veritable representatives of the German people who have been assured of a genuine constitutional standing as rulers of Germany.

"If it must deal with the military masters and monarchial autocrats of Germany now or if wo are likely to have to' deal with them later in regard to the international obligations of the German Empire it must demand not peace negotiations but surrender. Nothing can be gained by leaving this essential thing unsaid."

PRESS COMMENT, PRESIDENT'S ATTITUDE NOT STRONG ENOUGH. New York, Oct. 24. Opinion on the President's reply somewhat varies but the general comment is favorable. It is believed the reply is tantamount to a demand for Germany's unconditional surrender or consent to an armistice on terms which practically force a capitulation. J>ome Senators and public men consider the reply satisfactory, while others regret that the President did not flatly impose unconditional surrender. Mr Tuft said: "This message is the strongest note that has come from the President. He is getting nearer and nearer the demand for unconditional surrender. For the first tim» ho fully recognises the part our Allies are to play in the peace-making." Senator Lodge said: ''While I agree that, .if we must insist on unconditional surrender my opinion is that there is no German /Government existing ■wherewith to discuss anything. I deplore any exchange of Notes with Germany at this stage when wo are advancing to complete victory. The only course imw is to demand unconditional surrender. When reports are. received that tiie Ger." man army has surrendered then the Allies and the United States can agree what terms to impose." Newspapers give prominence to King George's speech to the inter-Parliamen-tary delegates. They consider his words: ''Victory is within our reach, and we are all agreed it must be a complete victory," is tihe British opinion concerning the. German Note.—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn. A statement is authorised that the German Note will not alter the President's decision not to propose an armistice by the Allies until the Germans evacuate all occupied territory.—Aus.N.Jj. Cable Assn. New York, Oct. 24. The Press throughout the country generally praises the Note. A few. papers regret the exchange of Notes with Germany. There is a disposition in some <iu inters to doubt whether the German Note justifies the press conclusions that Germany will "unreservedly accept" the President's terms of peace. , Official circles in Washington are already debating the probable terms of the 'armisiice likely to be formulated for presentation to Germany. The helicf is expressed tint. President Wilson has finished Note w'.viting and, unless Germany agrees to the latest stipulations, tiie correspondence will end. The position is described as meaning Germsinv's surrender witfa the disappearance of the War Lord or the continuance of sthe fighting.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable As=n The Unite? Press Washington _ correspondent learns t'hat the Ri-mistica terms include the occupation of munitions plants bv the Allies, the possession of battleships,' the surrender of U-boats and tho evacuation of Alsace-Lorraine and Poland.—United Service.