The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1918-10-15

ident wilson has answered Ger
many's peace proposal with a deci-
sion which not only fulfills the ex-
pectations of supporters of his diplo-
macy, but also dispels the fears of
those who predicted he would substi-
tute victories at arms with defeats at
diplomacy.
Wilson'S Reply.
The unqualified acceptance by
the present German government and
by a large majority of the reichstag
of the terms laid down by the presi-
dent of the United States of America
in his address to the congress of the
United States on the 8th of January,
1918, and in his subsequent ad-
dresses, justifies the president in
making afrank and direct statement
of his decision with regard to the
communications of the German gov
eminent of the Sth and 18th of Oc-
tober, 1918.
1T must be clearly understood
that the process of evacuation and
the conditions of an armistice are
matters which must be left to the
judgment and advice of the military
advisers of the government of the
United States and the Allied govern
ments, and the president feels it his
duty to say that no arrangement can
be accepted by the government of the
United States which does not provide
absolutely satisfactory safeguards
and guarantees of the maintenance of
the present military supremacy of
the armies of the United States and
the Allies in the field.
He feels confident that he can
safely assume that this will also be
the judgment and decision of the AL
lied governments.
THE president feels that it is also
his duty to add that neither the gov
ernmen tof the United States nor, he
is quite sure, the governments with
which the government of the United
States is associated with as a bellig.
erent will consent to consider an
aiAStiSC oO lOh6 as Tie dIIutu IOIttS
of Germany continue the illegal and
inhumane practices which they still
persist in.
"At the very time that the German
government approaches the govern.
ment of the United States with pro.
posals of peace its submarines are
engaged in sinking passenger ships
at sea and mott he ships alone, bul
the very boats in which their passen.
gers and crews seek to make theil
way to safety; and in their presen'
enforced withdrawal from Flanders
and France the German armies ar,
pursuing q course OF wanton destruc
ton, which has always been regard
ed as in direct violation of the rules
and practices of civilized warfare
Cities and villages, If not destroyed
are being stripped of all they contain
not only. but often of their very in
habitants. The nations associate,
against Germany cannot be expecte,
to agree to a cessation OF arms Will
acts of inhumanity. spoilation an,
~desolation are being continued whicl
they justly look upon with horro
and with burning hearts.
1T is necessary, also, in orde
That here may be no possibility o
misunderstanding that the presiden
should very solemnly call the atten
ton of the government of German
to the language and plain intent O
n o fthe terms of peace which TIL
German government has now accept
ed. 1t is contained in the address o
the president delivered at Mt. verno
on the Fourth of July, last. 1t is a
follows:
The destruction of every arb.
trary power anywhere that can ser
arately. secretly and of its singl
choice disturb the peace OF the worle
or, III it cannot be presently destroy
ed, at least its reduction to virtus
impotency.'
The power which has hilbert
controlled the German nation is
the sort here described. 1t is With
the choice of the German nation [
alter it. The presidents words ju.
quoted naturally constitute a cond
ton precedent to peace. If peace is |
come by the action of the Germa
people themselves. The presider
feels bound to say that the who
process of peace will in his judgmel
depend upon the definiteness and til
satisfactory character of the guaraI
ties which can be given in this funds
mental matter. IT is indispensib
that the governments associate
against Germany should know b
yond a peradventure with whom the
are dealing.
The president will make a sep
rate reply to the royal and imperi
government Of Austria-Hungary.
Accept, sir, the renewed assn