The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1918-09-19
INSULT TO AMERICAN LOYALTY
AND INTELLIGENCE.

Realizing that complete defeat is in
evitable the German Imperial govern
ment has started what they no doubt
believe is clever peace offensive.
Germany's vasal, Austria, was Sc
lected as the tool through which it
was hoped that negotiated peace
might be Forthcoming. The Austrian
premier has issued note to the belli-
gerent countries asking for secret
conference, the object of which was to
see if some plan could not be devised
that would bring peace negotiations.
The United States received the official
note on Monday of this week through
the Swedish minister. Within a half
an hour after the receipt of the note
President Wilson authorized the fol-
lowing Wilsonesque statement:
81 am authorized by the Presi-
dent to state that following will
be the reply of this government to
the Austro-H Hungarian note pro-
posing an unofficial conference of
belligerents:
"The government of the United
States feels that there is only one
reply which it can make to the
suggestion of the imperial Austro-
Hungarian government. 1t has
repeatedly, and with entire cam
dor, stated the terms upon which
the United States wontd consider
peace and can and will entertain
no proposal for conference upon Z
matter concerning which it has
made it's position and purpose so
plain"
The suggestion of negotiated
peace with the House of Wilhelm is
unthinkable in the minds of all truly
loyal Americans. The suggestion of
such a conference under present con-
ditions is an insult to the intelligence
and loyalty of the people of this ma
ton.
1t is true all good citizens long for
the time when peace will come, but it
will not be German made peace, and
will be possible only after q complete
surrender of the military powers of
Germany and Austria and her Allies.
When this time arrives Uncle Sam
will take prominent part in the MAX
ing and loyal citizens will only be sat
isfied with terms which call for moth
ing less than the evacuation of every
foot of stolen territory, the restoration
of Belgium, the return to France of
Alsace-Lorraine and the complete
overthrow of the kaiser and his mill
tary murderers. The only part Ger
many will have in the peace-m making
contract will be to furnish unmistak-
able assurances that those represent
ing her have power to act and sign on
the dotted lire the terms arranged by
the United States, France and Eng
land. 4
The boys over there are not enter
tanning any thought of peace at this
time, and they are the ones who are
making the big sacrifice for the good
of humanity. The following editorial
from the Stars and Stripes, official
organ of the American Expeditionary
Forces, published in France, is indica-
tive of the sentiment of the Yankee
HgnCln g1orceS:
American doughboys charge Ger
man machine gun nest across an open
field.
Some fall, but the others press for
ward. They come to their objective at
the point of the bayonet, only to find
the beaten Hun, with uplifted hands,
crying sKamerad.' But with a gun or
a knife concealed, ready to violate his
plea of surrender.
This is the true Hun spirit, the
shirt back of the Kaiser and his court.
With the power of the offensive pass
ing from him, he is now merely wait
ing for another chance to lift his
hands with the cry of 'Kammcrad' or