The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1918-10-26

anu Iildl lulS WISH anu puE EpOSe SIid-
mated not from those who have hith-
erto dictated German policy and con-
dTcted the present war on Germany's /
behalf but from ministers who speak
for the majority Of the reichstag and
for an overwhelming majority Of the
German people and having received
also the explicit promise of tbs
humane rules Of civilized warfare
will be observed both on land and sea
ard by the German armed forces, the
president of the United States feels
that he can not decline to take up with
the governments with which the gov
ernment Of the United States is asso-
ciated the question of an armistice
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 anc
the powers associated with her in a
position to enforce any arrangements
that may be entered into and to make
a renewal Of nostilities on the part
of Germany impossible. The presi-
cent has therefore, transmitted his
correspondence with the present Ger
nan authorities to the. governments
with which the government Of the
United States is associated as a bel
ligerent with the suggestion that il
those governments are disposed to ef-
/; feet peace upon the terms and ,prin-
ciples indicated, their military adyis-
Eers and the military advisers Of the
United States he asked to: submit to
j the governments associated against
Germany the necessary terms OF such
Ian ;apqnistice sts will fully protect the
interests of the peoples involved anc
| insure to the associated government.
the unrestricted power to safeguard.
| and enforce the details Of the peacc
TO which the German government has
agreed, provided they. deem such ar
arn1istice possible from the military
roint of view. Should such terms OF
armistice be suggested, their accept.
ance by Germany will afford the best
concrete evidenee of her unequivoca
acceptance Of the terms and princi
pies of peace from which tile whole
action proceeds. 80.
1.-The. president would deem himself
| lacking in candor did he not point on
in the frankest. possible terms the
reason why extra ordinary safeguards
| must be demanded Significant and
Independent as the constitutional
changes seem to be which are spok-
en- of by the German foreign secre-
tary in his note Of the goth of Oc-
tober it does not appear that the reo
| pie. of a government responsible to
the German people has yet been fully
worked out Or that any guarantees
either exist or are in contemplation
that the alterations Of principles ano
of practice now partially agreed up
on will be permanent. Moreover, il
does not appear that the heart of the
present difficulty has been reached
It may be that future wars have beer
brought under The control Of the Ger
man people, bu: the present war has
rot been; and it is with tie presen
var chat we are dealing. 1t is evi
dent that the German people have ne
means OF commanding the acquies
ccnce of the military authorities OF
Che. empire in the popular will; tha
The power Of the king of Prussia tc
control the policy of the empire Is un
impaired; that the determining initia
tive still remains with those who have
! hitherto been the masters Of Germany
Feeling that the whole peace Of the
world depends now on plain speaking
and straightforward action, the presi-
cent deems it his duty to say, with
out any attempt to. soften what ma!
seem harsh words, that the nations
the world do not and can not trust
| heen the asters of German policy
and to point out cnce. more that ir
concluding peace and attempting t.
| undo the infinite injuries and injus-
ices of this war the government Of
the United States can not deal with
any but veritable representatives 0.
fhe German people who have beer
assured Of a genuine constitutions:
standing as the real rulers OF Ger
many. II it must deal with the mil
i:ary masters and the monarchical au-
tocrats Of Germany now, or if it is
likely to have to deal with them late.
in regard to the international obliga-
ton Of the German empire, it must
demand, not negotiations, but surrend.
y" Nothing can be gained by leaving
this essential thiEg unsaid.
Accept, sir, the renewed assur-
noes of my high consideration.
(Signed) Robert Lansing.
"Ir Frederick Oederlin, Charge
G'Affairs Of Switzerland I'D interim
IN charge of German interests in ths
United States
Approval of ne presidents action
H:aas voiced everywhere among Off
Mails, who declared that the note de-
,r,:uded the surrender upon which
AmeGca and the allies insist. and at
the sai4le time held up to the German
people picture OF their situation in