The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-10-14
HONESTY OF GERMAN
ANSWERS DOUBTED
General Demand by U. s.
Press for Rejection.

Following are excerpts from editorial
comment upon the German reply to the
Presidents inquiries, in papers through
out the country:
One Hand to shake, Other to shoot
Providence. r. l., Journai---The an
swer to any proposal for an armistice
must como from military cemmanders
sword In hand Germany, retreating to
her own borders on the western front
ana facing overwhelming military defeat
ana the capture of Immense quantities OF
supplies an ammunition. accepts what?
proposition she believes TO have been
made to her that she retire unmolested
to her own territory, there to wage the
war in any way she secs At. 1t Is vital
that Washington disabuse Germany's
mind of this belief at the earliest pos
sible moment
! were a proud and honorable nation we
should be to-day celebrating the making
OF peace. But Germany has not pride
| In the sense that n nation cherishes the
decent opinion of mankind. and Germany
knows not honor. Therefore we must
examine Max's acceptance OF the Presi-
dents proposals with a long pair Of
| tongs. We must be on guard lest when
he stretches forth his right hand in
| friendship he, like CzolgosE, carries a
| gun In the other Max Is q prince and
a general. a friend Of the Kaiser. and
foe of democracy. and We cannot take
his word for anything.
Philadelphia Public Led1er---Tearing
down an ell or building a porch does
not make a new house Chancellors may
come and go. Reichstags may talk and
vote, but the Kaiser remains on the
throne, the military power usurps the
civil power, and the slightest sign OF
penitence for deeds that have outraged
humanity is still to seek. The President
knows this as well as anybody. Assum-
| ing that we have all the facts might not
demand for unconditional surrender
have been the best answer to give in the
| drst place?
Withdrawal IL Conservation.
Louisville Cotirier-Journdl-The man
| in the White House must draft the pro-
gramme OF civilization In Its future deal
ings with the despoller. That he and
his colleagues of the allied Governments
will permit the Hun to retire to his
bloody lair still a belligerent 10 unthink-
| able. Wait for him (the Presidency be-
fore you talk or even think peace
Philadelphia North American-we do
not pretend TO deny that Germany's an
| swer to President Wilson's queries make
an early peace possible. But II there is
any sanctity In the worldwide demand
for a peace OF justice and permanency,
| IL there Is any need for the final over
throw OF autocracy and the destruction
OF its military power. then civilization
was never nearer to the abyss of dis
aster than II IL at this hour.
Baltimore Sun-If Germany Is acting
In good faith in its answer to President
Wilson, then. rs Secretary McAdoo says.
her acceptance OF the Presidents de-
mands amounts to unconditional surren-
der. II 30. the war is won. 1t Is not
worth while to go on fighting for some
thing that we already possess. Obviously
the thing to do in these circumstances 10
to fnd out whether she Is acting in good
faith, IL what she means by acceptance
of the Presidents terms and what We
mean by It are ono and the same thing.
DisreputabIe and PerAdious Enemy
Detroit Free Press--It, Is Ear from be-
ing an unconditional surrender. {.
There Is now no certainty that Berlin
Is not more Immediately eager for an
armistice than II Is for peace terms.
But the Chancellor Is making
| a plain bid for an armistice pending
evacuation. Such a concession Is not TO
be thought OF In dealing with so disrepu-
table and perfdious an enemy as Ger
many.
Pittsburg Voiksbldtt-This paper at
taches great significance to omission OF
the word Imperial in relation to the
German Government, adding "a verita-
BILE political revolution already. A vic
tory OF democratic principles, which
marks the beginning OF new era"
Baltimore Amcrtcdn-There is jus,
this phase OF the evolved situation upon
| which to base expectations Of a near
peace-the possibility that Germany will
quickly accept tho inevitable and the in
| evitable Is unconditional surrender.
| Cincinnati Commercial TrIbune-Al
this means Is that Germany begins tc
realize that II Foch Is not stopped She
is terribly beaten.
"If IL Is Honest"
| Albany Rnickerbocker PRESET Is a
desperate plea to open the Jaws Of the
trap and throw into discard every sac.
! rifice we have made to betray our al