Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1918-10-18
The German Nation Must First Rio
Itself OF AutOcratic Rule.

sons reply to Germany's peace proffer
sent through the Swedish Charge d'Affaires
Sir rim reply to the communication of
the German Government, dated the 18th
instant, which you handed me to-day.
have the honor to request you to trans
nit the following answer;
The unqualified acceptance by the
present German Government and by a
large majority Of the Reichstag of the
terms laid down by the President of the
United States Of America in his address
to the Congress Of the United States on
the 9Th Of January, 1918. and in his sub
sequent addresses justifies the President
in making frank and direct statement Of
his decision with regard to the communi-
cations of the German Government of the
9Th and 18th of October. 1918.
ut must be clearly understood that the
conditions of an armistce are matters
which must be left to the judgment and
Government of the United States and the
Allied Governments, and the President
feels it his duty to say that no arrange
ment can be accepted by the Government
Of the United States which does not pro-
vide 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 judg-
ment and decision Of the Allied Govern
ments.
THE President feels that il is also his
duty to add that neither the Government
of the United States nor. he is quite sure,
the governments with which the Govern
ment Of the United States is associated as
beligerents will consent to consider an
armistice as long as the armed forces Of
Germany continue the illegal and inhumane
practices which they still persist in.
AT the very time that the German Gov
eminent approaches the Government Of
the United States with proposals of peace
its submarines are engaged in sinking
ships alone but the very boats in which
their passengers and crews seek to make
their way to safety; and in their present
enforced withdrawal from Flanders and
France the German armies are pursuing a
course of wanton destruction which has
always been regarded as in direct viola
ton of the rules and practices Of civilized
warfare. Cities and villages. If not de-
stroyed. are being stripped Of all they con-
tain not only. but often Of their inhab-
tants. The nations associated against
Germany cannot be expected to agree to a
cessation OF arms while acts Of inhumanity,
spoliation and desolation are being con-
tinued which they justly look upon with
horror and burning hearts.
at is necessary also, in order that there
may be no possibility Of misunderstood
ine. that the President should very SOL
EMMY call the attention Of the Govern
ment Of Germany to the language and
plain intent of one Of the terms Of peace
which the German Government has now
accepted. 1t is contained In the address
OF the President delivered at Mount Yer
non on July last II is as follows;
1.-THE destruction Of every arbitrary
power anywhere that can separately. Sc
cretly and OF its single choice disturb the
peace Of the world or. II II cannot be
presently destroyed. at least It's reduction
20 virtual impotency.'
1.-THE power which has hitherto con-
trolled the German nation is Of the sort
here described. II is within the choice