Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1918-10-08
THE ANSWER

Germany and Austria have asked, not for peace, but
for a parley. They have asked that in the meantime
hostiiities be suspended. The answer willA be a refusal.
That is the answer that ought to be given to such a re-
quest. Just when the answer will be forwarded is not
known at this time. 1t will be prepared with care, and.
%as thesnote was addressed to both the United States and
its associates in the war, it is probable that the answer
will proceed from all those powers Jointly, or will be in
such form as to have the effect Of joint action.
The response to the request of Bulgaria for an
armlsuce is a case in point Bulgaria was informed that
tnere would be no cessation of hostilities pending the ar
rival of her representatives, who, by the way, were
charged with-a much more weighty message than Ger
many and Austria have sent, or than they are likely to
have ready. The delegates arrived, and they were in
formed that Bulgaria could bring a cessation of hostii-
ties against herself by the simple expedient of quitting
the fight and getting out Of the way. She was required
to sever all relations with her allies; to take her armies
home and disband them; to permit the occupation by
Allied forces of such parts of her territory as the Allies
saw tit to use; and to refrain from all acts of hostility
toward the Entente powers. Bulgaria was whipped.
q wanted peace. For her to continue in the war would
nave been suicide, and Bulgaria had approached suicide
more closely than was to her liking. She accepted the
terms, and she now awaits such disposition as may
be made of her affairs when the main war is over. The
present proposal of Germany and Turkey must be met
IN tnat same spirit and in that spirit only.
The formal reply to the Central powers will he nre-
pared carefully by diplomats. 1t will be precisely
worded. 1t will be transmitted to a neutral government
and by that government forwarded to its destination.
But the people of the Allied countries are prparine the
material for that reply now. In the United States the
answer is being framed in congress, where members are
vying with each other in their expressions of determine
ton that there shall be no peace made with an UNI
whipped and unrepentant Germany. It is being made
IN the press of the country, which, with one voice de-
ciares unqualifiedly against an, arranged or negotiated
peace. 1t is being formulated in the churches, and the
colleges, in the business Offices, in the village stores and
in the little knots of farmers who talk the matter over
g they chance to meet. 1t is being framed bv the
people who are buying bonds with which tn nrovide
money n to kee, the war going. It1is being formulated
inSfne ishipyards Of the country, on the railroads. in the
army camps and environments, and in ten Thousand little
9athefings I women who. in a multitude Of ways. are
putting their very lives into the struggle for righteous
ness. And over across the water the answer ia being
written in the flashes from Pershing,s guns r. "a beirv
shouted by nearly two million American men who have
gone across to carry the message in person. II ia being
traced in foam and spray on the stormy waters Of the
ocean as American ships and their British companions
Carry American soldiers across at the rate Of = quarter o.
III million : month.
Wishkan answer being 30 prepared, while it's pre-
&c. phrasselosy may be . matter for. careful del,ben
hon. fIssrs can be no doubt Of Its meaning. The Hun
~ AptsaIsd e the sword. By the sword let him perish.