Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-10-13
Gcrmany's Aeccp.ancc slgnal for Caution

Gcrmany's Acceptance II Signal for Caution
ERMANl accepts President Wilson's
~ terms. On the face OF Prince NIax's re-
ply to his recent inquiries, the surrender Of
the Beast seems unconditional and abject
Answering those inquiries seriatim the Chan
celor says he speaks for government
formed by conferencein agreement with great
majority Of the Reichstag and lin the name
OF the German people; that President Will
sons conditions are accepted and there re-
main only the practical details OF their APP
plication, and that Germany stands ready to
evacuate all conquered territory. Apparently
no strings are attached to the offer to meet
every condition that has been laid down as
Il prerequisite to an armistce.
Ordinarily Germany's answer. in which
there is seen turbulence would be hailed
with JOY. for it would be taken as meaning
that the end of the war at hand. But
Germany, although practically bereft OF its
allies and with its own military power tot
tering, still is capable Of fighting a despe-
rate battle, and until it is shorn of every
vestige Of that power the allies must beware
Hence there is not that glad thankfulness
which must come with victorious ending
of the strife.
Let the allies not forget for an instant
the nature Of the Beast with which they are
dealing. and let them be further warned that
Germany is never more dangerous than in
defeat. nation that so lightly regarded
its solemn treaties as to cast them aside
as scraps OF paper and hur an unexpectant
world into war has undergone no change of
heart because il has suffered military re-
verses. has lost it's allies and needs time in
which to regain it's strength for evil While
its effort to secure peace may appear sim
cere there is peril in every step. If Germany
is permitted to have armistice on the
OASIS proposed. it can peacefully and in order
Withdraw from France and Belgium its armies
which are being battered to pieces Then
behind the Rhine and safe on its own terri
tory 1t again can grid up its loins for a re-
newal of the conflict il it fails to gain its
demands at the peace table. Its armies still
are intact and mighty its will to conquest
is unbroken and an untimely peace now
would endanger all the fruits of that vic
tory for democracy for which the allies have
sacrificed millions OF precious lives.
President Wilson and the other allied lead
ers have experienced the wiles Of the ac-
cursed Thing in Berlin, and they will not
permit themselves to be deceived at the very
moment that victory and lasting and hon
orable peace are finally within their power
to achieve If Germany really has been
whipped into honesty of purpose let it give
such material guarantees as will render il
powerless for diplomatic trckery Let it sur
render its forts and its navy and give over
the Rhine Valley to the allies. to be held
until restoration. complete as possible
in view OF the enormity of its crime has
been made If it is unwilling to give such
guarantees. the allies may know that it has
a dagger in its sleeve and still is unworthy
of trust Then Foch can attend to the re-
mainder Of the negotiations and there will
be no faltering until the right kind of
peace is dictated in Berlin
On another point the situation is vague.
Wilson has said repeatedly that the ruling
house Of Germany cannot be trusted. and
with it the United States would have no deal
ings. The allies have assumed similar at
ttude. 1T would seem, therefore. that be-
fore negotiations can be begun Germany of
its own volition must revolutionize itself at
least sufficiently to cast out the present dy-
nasty that has disgraced it and endangered
civilization. Not until that is done can it
hope to command the slightest measure of
confidence.
Three DiscOrdant Notes