The Sentinel=record., 1918-10-22
Note Would Indicate People of Germany Are Actually Taking the Reins of Gov ernment Into Their Own Hands.
The Note is Accorded More Considera- tion in Washington Because of Con- fidential Advices Indicating That the German Middle Classes Have Resolv- ed to Have Peace at Any Price.

The opinion most generally held is that if Mr. Wilson decides to make a reply and if the entente govern ments agree the only step possible at this time would be 10 sanction ar rangemcnts to be dictated by General Tech in the field for withdralal of the Germans without further fighting.
 Such arransements, of course would be contingent upon guarantees og continued supremacy of the vic torious allied armies and conse- quenty would virtually mean uncon- ditional surrender for the Germans
 The official view here so far has heen that evacuation of invaded ter ritory must be completed bofoce there can be an armisuce Should President Wilson after consultation with the allies adhere to this view, the work of driving the Germans to and across their own borders would proceed and the opportunity for fiX~ ina details which the new note sug- cests be rought about would come only through request from the Ger man lines under a white flag on the battlefield
 Little importance is attached to the protests and denials in the note re eording brutality and ruthless de-
 iruction of property The import ant thing is whether atrocities now stop. To an investigation by a neu- ral commission as suggested in the uatc the president indicated long ago that stch inyestigations come to nothing except in connection with ar ransaments for final peace
 Regarding the German denial of unnecessary destruction of property ! y the retiring armies military eX- ncrs say that undoubtedly such armies are authorized under inter national law 10 work terrible havoc in evacuated territory But there is one prime condition to be met-all of this must be done with the sole purpose of damagins and .retard@g the pursuing army
 Bridges may he destroyed, stores of food banned and even buildings which might shelter enemy troops. But il is not permitted to poison wells. 10 destroy fruit trees or to loot and de- ,troy private property which would be of mo use to either arm, or in face 10 commit any of the acts of wanton deyiltry which are charged against the German armies.
 The text of the German note. as re oeiyed by wireless, is as follows.
 ." n accepting the proposal for an evacuation of occupied territories, the Germans government has started from the assumption that the proce- Gure of this evacuation and of the conditions of an armistice should be left to the judgement of military ad- visers and that the actual standard of power on E0th sides in the field has to form the basis for arrange ments safe2uardins and guaranteeing this standard
 The German government suggests 10 the President that an opportunity should be brought about for fixing the details II trusts that the President of the United States will approve of no demand which would be irrecon cila'lc with the honor of the German people and with opening a way to peace of justice.
 The German government protests against the reproach of illegal and inhumane actions made against the German land and sea forces and there by against the German people. For the covering of a retreat destructions will always he necessary and they are carried ont insofar as is permitted by international law The German troops are under most strict instructions to spare property and to exercise care for the population to the best of their ability. Where transeressiOns
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