The Washington herald., 1918-10-10
GERMANY NOT
EXPECTED TO
DELAY REPLY
Wilson Places War Contin-
uation Burden Square
ly Upon Teutons.
ALLIES APPROVE NOTE
Reply to Austrian Proposal
Delayed for the Time
Being.

President Wilson's note of in
quiry is now in Germany and all
signs here point to an early reply
from Prince Max of Baden, i'm
perial German chancellor, to
whom it was addressed.
An early response does not indi-
cate eagerness on the part Of the
chancellor to answer the Presi-
dents three questions, which have
so abruptly placed the burden of
a continuation OF the war on the
central powers. Military neces-
sity, the same military necessity
that caused Germany to seek
peace, is the compelling reason.
In addition, the President, it is
understood, is not in a frame of
mind to brook unnecessary delay.
With the full force of the
Presidents intentions established
in their minds, officials and diplo-
mats yesterday afternoon figured
that delay, under the present cir
cumstances, would be fatal to
Germany. They laid stress on the
fact that the allied. armies are
daily advancing toward German
soil and exacting, on the way,
tremendous losses in life and ma
terial from the enemy.
Another Reason Cited.
And they also pointed out that
unseemly delay on the part Of the
chancellor in replying to the Presi-
dent might bring about the final
disillusionment Of the German peo-
pie. The latter would realize, it
was declared. that the Hohenzol-
lerns and their military autocracy
were alone responsible for the pro-
longation of the war.
Solely in this respect, II was said.
the Presidents note would sow the
seeds of revolution in Germany, and
in this manner accomplish some
thing for which the entire world
has been hoping.
The President said so much, or
rather asked so much. in SO few
words that the entire capital was
a unit yesterday in pronouncing his
note the most clever diplomatic
move of the war.
Halts Peace Offensive.
That he has effectively countered
the German peace offensive there Is
no doubt; neither is there any Ques-
tion that much midnight oil will be
consumed in Berlin in an attempt to
formulate adequate answers to his in
Quiries.
Upon receipt Of the German reply
| which no one believes will be written
in a manner that would allow peace
negotiations to be begun, or rather
enable the President to apply his
fourteen terms-the President Is ex-
! pected to go before Congress with
what will be a message and a reply to
Germany at the same time.
Germany, II is confidently believed,
will be convicted on the words of her
chancellor and the war will go on to
a triumphant finish by the allies.
! The President has the entire sup
port of all of the allies in his move.
| and early reports are to the effect
, that all the allied peoples realize the
depth of his action. The whole situ-
alton, therefore, is up to the Presi-
dent. He fully realizes how much de-
pends on the outcome, and the prime
reason for the dispatch Of his note.
it was intimated today. was to clear
the waters for once and all so the war
may go on without further INTERRUPT
! ton by German and Austrian leaders,
who know now what the end will be.
VIII Clear Situation.
The German reply, IL was said, will
do either one of two things. 1t will
provide information that can be con-
strued only as an unconditional sur
render on the part of the central
/ powers or II will enable the President
to finally dispose OF any intended
forthcoming peace moves If the
latter Is the case, and officials believe
II will be, the allied world can settle
/ itself down to The fact that Marshal
Foch will be the man to whom to
look for peace.
The State Department yesterday had
no Information regarding Turkey
| reported peace bid and no comment
would be made on the Austrian pro
posal The President, however. is
expected to hold the Austrian rnaueu-
yer in abeyance until he has disposed
Of the German note.
Official dispatches from F&ance yes
terday. sharing the Presidents dis
/ trust Of the German note, declared the
belief that the move was actuated,
not by Germany's desire to end blood
shed and accomplish Jsomething for
the good Of humanitt. but to save
~ much Of the wfeckage as she
thinks possiblA