Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-09-21
The German Desperation

While grea: demonstrations c.
rnandinr peace. arc being held in Co
!oene. Essen. and many towns In sax
onv. Field Marshal Won HIndenburg
!. atter ting To sooth and buoy up
the army He urges the army to
"sght on whlle waiting for peace"
At the same time Chancellor Won
Hortllns is attempting to cheer the
people NTH the assurance that an
arralstice Is possible in the near flu
ture.
The war lords have played their
last military card e cep. that in the
hands CT the "re.rca. expert" The
desperate gamble Of the spring CT
fonsive hao failed and the nation
knows u The next best is a peace
drive 70 be desperately waged, as
Fridays dispatches reveal in the tact
that Austria declares her peace pro-
posals are still open in spite Of re-
Bluffs
And last must come collapse OF
Teuton army government and people.
When the army and the govern
ment have been disposed Of the peo-
pie of Germany en- have peace on
Just and reasonable terms. They will
be no longer permitted to dominate
other peoples, but they can govern
themselves in their own way on their
own soil, for no power wants either
their soil or the Job Of governing
them.
The German people can have peace
on the terms laid down by President
Wilson last Jan. s, when he itenlized
as follows:
Open covenants Of peace.
Freedom OF navigation upon the seas
Esta blishments of equal trade condi-
tons among nations conserving to the
peace
Reduction of ornaments.
Impartial adjustment Of colonial
claims.
The evacuation Of all Russian territory
ard the erection of Russia into n free
nation
The evacuation and restoration of Bel
GUM.
The surrender of all French territory
ard the wrong of Alsace-Lorraine to be
rishted.
Readjustment Of the frontiers of Italy.
The people Of Austria Hungary to
rave the freest opportunity of autono-
NOUS development.
Rouraania. serbia and Montenegro to
be evacuated and restored.
Other nationalities under Turkish rule
to be assured of security of life. and the
Oarda nelles to be free
An independent Polish state to be
erected With access to the sea.
\ general association of nations to be
formed to afford mutual guarantees of
political independence and territorial
integrity.
And thus we stand face to face
with problem as dangerous as war
itself, for If we talter now a greater.
The Hun as a begging, whining ap-
plicant for mercy is almost as de-
serving Of shooting as the Hun who
impales the infant or ravages the
daughter Of the household. for he is
he can gain strength to repeat all
the atrocities of which he is already
guilty
That stage Of appeal is fast ap-
preaching. Imagine Field Marshal
Foch deenning it necessary to urge the
troops of any nation under his com-
nand to continue to fight" His
hardest task is to restrain them.
There is the significant difference
in the moralgof Germany and of her
enemies. Germany and her allies
Fad for peace and the war lords
are getting down on their knees to
the army and the people. England.
France. Italy and America will ncith-
er listen to German peace nor cease
relentless war until the world is re-
lieved Of the menace of I-ultur and
nilitarisr.
Then the world will be ready for
peace. but the Hun robber, cutthroat
and firebug will not be permitted to
keep the things he has stolen; and
he must pay for some of the dam
age he has caused. even if he never
can wash the blood from his hands.