Omaha daily bee., 1918-10-08
ARM|STICE is
SUICIDAL, IS The
OPINION ONPLAN
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Continued From Page one.)
against the insidious danger OF
throwing away the hard won vic
tory so near their grasp, and at. the
same time leave no opportunity tor
the militarist leaders OF the central
powers to lure their people to more
bloodshed and sacrifices.
May Address Congress.
There is suggestion that to
carry out this purpose more fully,
President Wilson, after dispatching
the reply, may decide to address
congress and state in detail the
reasons which cause the allies to
reject the proposal.
There is no official indication as
to the presidents plans except OF
course, that it is being discussed
among many peoples.
Colonel f. NJ. House, the presi-
dents constant adviser, and person
al representative on many conhden-
tial errands, arrived at the White
House tonight His coming follow
ed a busy day for the president
in which all other business was put
aside, recreation was abandoned and
except for an hour or two given
over to entertaining Sir Eric
Geddes, first lord of the British ad-
miralty at luncheon, Mr.. Wilson
spent the day in his study, 1t was
said he was writing.
The official communication from
Germany was delivered to the White
House this morning by the charge
of the Swiss legation and the note
from Austria was taken to the state
department and handed to Secretary
Lansing by Mr.. Ekengren, the min
lister from Sweden.
Proceed Carefully.
The president already had the
unofficial texts as transmitted by the
Associated Press before him and the
official copies added, little or moth
ing to his information.
In explaining the necessity for
carefully considered action at this
time, officials point out that the
conditions arising from the presen-
tation of separate and formal COM
muncations from the two great
central empires are quite different
from those under which Count
Burian's adroit proposal to hold
secret and "non-binding' confer
ences was so summarily dealt with
Now the proposition is for formal
and open discussions in manner
to bind the principals with hostili-
ties suspended in the meantime:
Therefore, the fact is recognized
that the people of America and OF
the entente countries. which are
really DESTROYS of peace on fair
terms, are entitled to an explanation
of the reasons which move the gov
eminent in rejecting a proposal
which on its face might appear to
bear evidence of sinceity.
Americas Stand.
1t was emphasized that the idea
must not go out that America does
not desire peace, for the war is
waged for the realization of GER
tain high ideals of democracy and
liberty and not for revenge or desire
ruthlessly to destroy any nation
Another consideration which has
influenced the officials who are
shaping the course of these nego-
tiations is the probable effect upon
the German people themselves OF a
curt, sharp and unreasoned refusal
of their appeal.
Now the people of Germany and
Austria are finding out that they are
in no danger of determination il
they call off their armies and stop
fighting. Work to this end has
been done by a system of propa'
ganda in the enemy countries by
entente and American agencies.
So these people are being taken
into account in dealing with the
German and Austrian appeals, and
the replies which will be made must
let them understand that it is only
because these appeals do not hold
out promise of a real peace on
reasonable terms that they are re-
jected.
Ever since Count Burian's pre-
ceding proposal was rejected it has
been realized that the step now
taken by the Teutonic governments
might be expected at any time
Therefore, there has been ample op-
portunity for discussion of the
course to be followed and the
present exchanges between Presi,
dent Wilson and the entente chan
cellories, probably will not be pro,
longed.
That rejection of the present
propositions will be followed by
other offers is not doubted in Wash
ington. Determined to save their
countries from invasion, the German
and Austrian emperors are believed
certain to come forward very shortly
with more liberal concessions.
1t was said at the Spanish embassy
tonight that the appeal to Presi-
dent Wilson for peace from Turkey
which the German propaganda serv'
ice at Berlin had announced was
coming through Spain had not beer
received. 1t is assumed that any
proposal from Turkey would fol
low the form of those from Ger
many and Austria.