The Benson signal., 1917-01-20
ALLIES ANSWER
TO PEACE OFFER
PRESIDENT TOLD CONDITIONS
DEMANDED BY ENTENTE TO
END CONFLICT.
ANOTHER YEAR OF WAR?
KAISER TELLS NEUTRALS HE
HAS ACHIEVED DEFENSE OF
LIBERTY, HIS PURPOSE.

Western Newspaper Union News Service.
Washington.-The reply of the en-
tente allies to President Wilson's ap-
peal, received Jan. II, is believed by
the majority of administration Off
cials to close the door to peace in
Europe for another year at least.
While disclaiming any intention Of
exterminating the Teutonic peoples,
the allies in this reply state terms of
peace which would result in the hum
bling of Germany and Austro-Hun-
gary and the expulsion of Turkey
from Europe.
The allies also express the belief
that it is impossible at the present
moment to attain peace that will as
sure them reparation, restitution and
such guarantees as they consider are
essential.
'It goes without saying" concluded
the note, that if the allies wish to
liberate Europe from the brutal covet-
BUSINESS of Prussian militarism, it
never has been their design, as has
been alleged, to encompass the exter-
mination of the German peoples and
their political disappearance. That
which they desire above all is to in
sure a peace upon the principles of
liberty and justice, upon the inviolable
fidelity to international obligation
with which the government of the
United States has never ceased to be
inspired.
United in the pursuits of this SUI
preme object the allies are deter
mined, individually and collectively,
to act with all their power and to con-
sent to all sacrifices to bring to a
victorious close a conflict upon which
they are convinced not only their own
safety and prosperity depends, but
also the future of civilization ITSELF"
Belgium, in addition to joining with
her allies in the reply to the Presi-
dent, sent an individual note in which
the conquered kingdom makes a stir
ring appeal for American sympathy in
it's purpose to fight on till it wins
freedom with reparatiOn.
The allies promise that in the event
of peace on their terms, Russia will
carry out her announced intention of
comforting autonomy upon Poland.
The entente terms enumerated in
the reply include restoration Of Bel
wit
the payment of indemnities to each by
Germany; evacuation of northern
France, southeastern Russia and
southern Rumania, with reparation;
restoration to France of Alsace and
Lorraine by Germany, and to Italy OF
the former northern provinces by
Austria, and expulsion of the Turkish
Empire from Europe, thus giving Con-
stantinOple to Russia.
Germany, President Wilson knows,
is ready to grant some of these de-
mands but far from all of them.
If, therefore, these are the minimum
terms of the allies upon which they
intend to stand pat, there seems to be
little reason to hope that basis for
settlement has been found
The German note to neutrals, pub.
lished simultaneously with the en-
tente reply, came as distinct sur.
prise 1t promptly was characterized
by the entente diplomats as care
fully prepared and timed address to
the world calculated to offset the en-
tente statement of aims and pur-
poses.
The entente note is regarded as one
of the most delicate and carefully
written documents the war has pro-
duced
Germany and her allies, who had
to take up arms for defense of their
liberty and existence, consider this,
their aim of the war, as obtained"
says the German note.