Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-09-28
MADE IN GERMANY.

Germany's reply to Pope Benedict's
proposal for world peace is of value
chiefly for it's announcement to all the
world that the kaiser is no more ready
now than he has been at any time
since he started the war, to conclude
a peace on any but his own terms.
II would be a waste of time to con-
slider Chancellor Michaelis' note as a
state paper of any Importance in the
interchanges incident to the war.
After repeated readings it divides it.
self into these three parts:
First-Fulsome praise of Kaiser
Wilhelm. described as the greatest
champion of world peace.
Second-Approval of the papal plan
for disarmament, compulsory arbitra-
ton of international differences and
world peace. 'tsF y-'.' ~
Third-The "joker' paragrap
which nullifies all the notes apparent
plea for peace and which reads as fol-
lows: "The imperial government will
in this respect support every proposal
compatible with the vital interest OF
the German empire and people"
Had Chancellor Michaelis wanted to
save space he could have covered all
the ground that his note covers had
he written this:
The kaiser instructs me to say
that your plan for world peace is
quite admirable. in his opinion.
He is ready to agree to it if the
terms of settlement shall be made
lin Germany. OF course, if he is
to quit fighting he must be given
all that he is fighting for. Hav-
ing acquired worldwide power, he
would be glad to see all nations
disarm so he might never be men,
aced.
That is what Chancellor Michaelis'
note to the pope means, il it means
anything. 1t is not strange that the
only comment made officially in Wash
ineton when it was made public was
that the attitude of the United Statos,
expressed In President Wilson's ad-
mirable note to the pontiff, was not
changed in the least by the tone Of
Germany's reply.
AS the tentative peace negotiations
stand now, the issue is quite clear
although the entente allies have not
sent their reply to Rome. They have
indicated full accord with the Wilson
note. 1t brands the kaiser as the
worlds greatest criminal, and an
nounces that the United States gov
eminent will not treat with him while
he continues the autocratic ruler of
the German people because he has for
feited the respect and confidence of
all the worlds governments through
his reputation Of solemn treaties.
Germany, on the other hand, not
only insists that the kaiser must con.
tinue to rule as in the past, but must
have the privilege of debating the con-
ditions on which the world may buy
his consent to cessation of HOSTILE
ties.
In view of the countless atrocities
which have been committed by Ger.
man soldiers and sailors in the name
and with the approval of the kaiser,
it is an insult to the intelligence Of
the pontiff and his political advisers
to picture the German ruler as an ex-
ponent of "the moral power of right."
1t is this feature of the Michaelis
note, in all probability, which will
make it Of interest to historians. IL
stands out as most remarkable and
monumental statement OF obvious
falsehood.
Lacking any disavowal by the peo-
pie of Germany. the note cannot but
be regarded as their declaration of
war against the peoples which have
been fighting for many months to free
them from the heaviest yoke ever
fashioned by despotic government.
The chancellor lays particular stress
on the assertion that the government
conferred at length with representa-
tives of the German people before the
reply to the papal note was written.
It is this feature, no doubt, to which
English editorial comment referred in
expressing the hope that the Michaelis
note would enlighten President Wilson
with regard to his repeated declara-
tons that America is not at war with