The Topeka state journal., 1918-10-24
WILSON'S PEACE REPLY

seventh of September, and that it de-
sires to discuss the details of their
application, and that this wish and
purpose emanate, not from those who
have hitherto dictated German policy
and conducted the present war on Ger
| many'S behalf, but from ministers who
speak for the majority of the reichs-
tag and for an overwhelming majority
of the German people; and having re-
ceived also the explicit promise of the
present German government that the
humane rules of civilized warfare will
be observed, both on land and sea, by
the German armed forces. the presi-
dent of the United States feel that he
cannot decline to take up with the
governments with which the govern
ment of the United States is associat-
ed. the question of an armistice.
Allies Must Be Powerful.
He deems it his duty to say again,
however, that the only armistice he
would feel justified in submitting for
consideration would be one which
should leave the United States and the
powers associated with her in a posi-
tion to enforce any arrangements that
may te entered into and to make a re-
neWal of hostilities on the part of Ger
many impossible. The president has,
therefore, transmitted his correspond
ence with the present German authori-
ties to the governments with which the
government of the United States is as
sociated as belligerent, with the sug-
gestion that, if those governments are
disposed to effect peace upon the
terms and principles indicated, their
military advisers and the military ad-
visers of the United States be asked
to submit to the governments associat-
ed against Germany the necessary
terms of such an armistice as will fully
protect the interests of the people in
volyed and insure the associated gov
81 rs
safeguard and enforce the details of
the peace to which the German gov
ernment has agreed, provided they
deem such an armistice possible from
the military point of view. Should
such terms of armistice be suggested,
their acceptance by Germany will af-
ford the best concrete evidence of her
unequivoca1 acceptance of the terms
and principles of peace from which
the whole action proceeds.
No Good Government.
"'The president would deem him
self lacking in candor did he not point
out in the frankest possible terms the
reason why extraordinary safeguards
must be demanded. Significant and
important as the constitutional
changes seem to be which are spoken
of by the German foreign secretary in
his note of the 20th of October, 1t
does not appear that the principle of
a. government responsible to the Ger
man people has yet been fully worked
out or that any guarantees either exist
or are in contem plation that the alter
atoms of principle and of practice,
now partially agreed upon, will be
permanent.
CurtaiI Kaiser's Power.
Moreover, it does not appear that
the heart of the present difficulty has
been reached. 1t may be that future
wars have been brought under the
control of the German people, but the
present war has not been; and it is
with the present war that we are deal
ing. 1t is evident that the German
people have no means of commanding
the acquiescence of the military au-
| thorities of the empire in the popular
will; that the power of the king of
Prussia to control the policy of the
empire is unimpaired; that the de-
termining Initiative still remains with
those who have hitherto been the
masters of Germany
Plain Speaking.
Fearing that the whole peace of
the world depends now on plain speak
| ing and straightforward, action, the
president deems it his duty to say,
without any attempt to soften what
may seem harsh words, that the ma
tions of the world do not and cannot
trust the word of those who have
! hitherto been the masters of German
| policy. and to point out once more
that, in concluding peace and attempt
| ing to undo infinite injuries and in-
justices of this war, the government
| of the United States cannot deal with
any but veritable representatives OF
the German people, who have been
assured of genuine constitutional
standing as the real rulers of Ger
many. If it must deal with the mill
| tary masters and monarchiai auto
Gratis of Germany now, or if it is likely
to have to deal with them later in re-
gard to the international obligations
OF the ,Germap empire. it must de-
mand, not peace negotiations, but sur
render. Nothing can be gained by
leaving this essential thing unsaid.'
| Accept. sir, the renewed assurances
of my high consideration.
| (Signed) ROBERT LANSING"