New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-09-02
Denies Right OF Tcutons to
Govern Themselves,
Is Charge
Plans to Prolong
War, Critics Say
Swollen Phrases" and
"Mendacity" Are Terms
Applied to Note

BERLIN. Sept. 1.-President Wilson's
reply 20 the Pope's peace note vas
published generally by the newspapers
this morning, and in the editorial COM
ment Mr. Wilson is bitterly denounced
on the score Of the notes tone and
tendency The "Lokal Anzoiger' says:
president Wilson declines the Pope's
mediation with the same mass OF
swollen phrases with which he has al
ready satiated the German peoples.
We are told that the war Is not being
waged against the German nation, bu,
against their masters
THE absolute mendacity of Mr.. Will
sons phraseology becomes spparen.
when his dictum as TO the rights OF ma
tons, who are capable OF shaping their
own destinies, is opposed to the wish
Of the German people TO be governed
by these very masters Mr.. Wilson
therefore does not intend 20 give US
our liberty, but 70 deprive Us Of liberty
" alilFt a. JUL wv htNle ANlrs
Calls II Mass OF Words"
For that matter, this whole mass Of
words has as its sole purpose the ex-
preston of the intention 20 proong
;he war at any price. In this resolve
Mr. Wilson, who is Sighting for the
freedom Of mankind, orders peace meet
ings dispersed and paciists arrested.
This war has exposed in its naked
ness much that is low and contempt-
bic; its remaining task was to exhibit
! hero like this coldly calculating math-
/ ematician, whom a singular fate in a
momentous hour has given the power
over one hundred million people"
The "Vossische Zeitung" says:
Probably President Wilson does not
know anything about the declaration
of General SoukhomlnoF former
Russian Minister Of War. now on trial
for treason and Of General Januschke-
witch former chief of the Imperial
General staff Of Russia concerning
the real proceedings which led 10 the
outbreak of me war Otherwise he
would have changed his tactics"
The "Tageblatt" saws:
president Wilson speaks Of the de-
mocratization of Germany, which we
also desire; but u IS an internal ques-
tiOn and one We consider forbidden
territory for foreigners as condition
of peace
The "Morgenpost' says: "The Ger
man people will not fail 10 return the
answer which already has been made
once by the president Of the Reichstag,
with the unanimous accord of the mem
bers of Parliament. which Is elected on
the basis OF the most liberal franchise
in the world This time, however the
answer will be clearer, much clearer"
president Wilson was anxious on
this occasion 20 be non-commlttal.' y
says the "VolkszeItung,' "for II he mad
said yes TO the Papal note that would
have meant that he was taking leave Of
ambitious plans Of his own. while If he
had said no he WOULD have unveiled
openly his activity as a prolonger Of
the war and would have angered tho
friends Of peace IN the United States.
tors He finds a good way out of this
qusndary by railing al 1he ruler Of Ger
many and by rejecting every peace
treaty which does not contain the Ger
man peoples guarantee
The "Boersen Zeitung' thinks the
German people will no. permit itself 10
be driven into a dangerous internal
conflict by its enemies. adding:
This is the object Of the Entente,
which sees in the weakening Of our in
ternal front the only prospect OF vic
tory. This hope will be wholly disap-
pointed
Note Is Called "Grotcsque"
The Cologne Gazette says:
"Eyery word OF Pre- sident Wilson 5
note is grotesque nonsense. The climax
OF all the nonsense is that the German
pcople are groaning under a cruel gov
erument Has not the entire German
people, rich and poor, Socialist and
Conservative. continually repeated that
10 stands firm for the Emperor and the
empire? The solution o. the puzzle Il
that lr. Wilson wants 20 .persevere
with the war. Americas business
world needs the war at this coniunct-
ure. Americas future needs the hig
army that is just IN the making. -
"Mr Wilson hopes for disunity in
Germany and therefore offers the Ger
man people peace a. the cost Of the
German governments fall. This tric4
IS TOO transparent. The German ped
pie may be relied upon 70 range them
selves more firmly around the Emperor
against this nypocrite."
The Cologne "Nolks ZeItung" says:
president Wilson weeps crocodile
tears over the Pope's humanity Blu,
leaves 10 a. that. He wants nothing
short Of the destruction of the enemy
and demands an Anglo American peace
Mr.. Wilson's answer must be charac.
terized as pItItul The man who
formerly stood forth "a peacemaker
is nov blowing the widest war trum.
pet. lie who proclaimed peace withou,
victory now desires the complete crush
ing OF the enemy
The "RhcH.sa Westphalian Gazette, D
which makes much play with the state
ments OF witnesses in the trial of the
former Russian War Minister Soukhom.
ljnof in discussing President Wilson
reply 20 the PoDe. says:
In its pnar.saical hypocrisy the re.
ply is genuinely Wilson. Every word
Is sUVerhUoUs against the ridiculou,
suggestion that people which has "a
defend IT'S skin against the whole world
), Is trying 70 subJugate the self-samc
world