The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1918-10-24
German Note, Official Text.

workers organization are In the army.
German Note, Official Text.
NASHJNGTUN, oct 23.-Thc English
translation or the German reply TO PFesl-
dent Wilson. prepared in Berlin ana lot
wardod through the Swiss legation mere
was made publ ic tonight by me Soai!
department. 1t does not differ materially
from the wireless version sent out from
Germany, ard fails TO clear up whAt
were regarded as vague phrases IN tnaA
part Of the note In which an armislice
Is discussed.
The official document was made pubic
by the state department In this an
nounCcmcnt.
translation issued BY the German
government Of its communication dated
October 20, 1918. transmitted 10 the sec
rotary Of state by the charge ehairss
a. l.. Of Switzerland. on October ~ W
In accepting the proposal fer an evaeo
! uatton OF tho occupied tcrrIloa G .-.',',
the assumption from that the procedure
or this evucua ton and OF the cohdlllohs
OF an nrmistice should be left TO inc
jud smeut OF the military advisers ana
Thai the actual standard OF power on
both sides in the Held has TO form mo
basis for arrangements SairEuardIns
and guaranteeing this standard. !ne
German government suggests 10 we
for fixing the details: 1t trusts tnaI
tho President of the United States VIII
approve Of no demand which would He
irreconcilable with the honor OF Inc
German people and with opening way
To- Il peace OF justice.
The German government protests
against the reproach Of illegal ana IN
humane actions made against the Ger
man land and sen forces. and incrcpS
against the German people. FOR inc
covering Of q retreat, destructions VIII
eIways be necessary and are insofar per
mitted by International law The Ger
man troops nrc under tho strictest III,
structions to spare private. property ana
TO exercise care for the population TO
tho best OF their ability. Where trans
sressions occur In spite or these m
structions. the guilty are oelnS pun
iShed.
The German government further de-
MOS that the German navy in sinking
ships has ever purpoSely destroyed me
boats with their passengers. me Ger
man government proposes WIN reehtu
TO all those charges thAt INC tans ~
cleared up by neutral commissions; IN
order to avoid anything that might nam
por the work OF peace, the German gov
eminent has caused orders to De dls-
pat ched TO all submarine commanders
precluding the torpedoIng OF passenger
ships. without. however for technlca!
reasons being able 10 guarantee that
these orders Will reach every single SUD-
marine at sea before itS rSeu ndi,ions for
peace. tho President characterIzes the
destruction of every arbitrary power
that can separately. secretly and OF rs
own single choice disturb the peace Oh
the world. TO this the German govern
mcnt replies: Hitherto the representa-
ton of the people In the German empire
hns not been endowed with an influence
on tho formation Of the government. INC
constitution did not provide Tor a con- On
people in decision on peace and war
The new government has been torne1
in complete accord Will the Wishes OF
the representation Of the people nasce
OH the equal, universal. secret. direct
franchise The lenders Of the great par
ties Of the RcichstaG arc members OF
this government In future no govern
ment can take or continue in office WIN
out possessing the confidence OF the ma
jority of the ReichStag. The RESPONSE
bility Of the chancellor of the empire
10 tho representation of the people -
being legally developed and SafeguAr deo'
been to lay before the ReiChstaG bill
10 alter The constitution Of the empire
sn that the consent Of the representa-,
ton Of the people Is required for de-
cisons on war and peace; the p Srnnn.
| guaranteed not only by constitutions!
Safeguards, but also by the unshakeable
determination of the German people,
whose vast majority stands behind these
reforms and demands their energetic
| continuance.
The question of the President. with
| whom nc and the governments ASSOC
ciated against Germany are dealing, is
! therefore answered in n clear and uh-
| equivocal manner By the statement that
| the offer of peace md an armistice has
como from government which. FREQ
| from arbitrary and irresponsible In
fucnce, Is supported by the approval OF
| the overwhelming majority Of the Ger
man people.
Berlin, October 90 1918.
/ (SlEnsd) SOLE,
| State Secretary Of Foreign Affairs.