South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-11-13
MUST MAINTAIN
PUBLIC ORDER
AS CONDITION
President Tells SoIf Only
Guarantees Required Will
be For Equitable Dis
tribution of Food.
IntcrnationaI News service

international News Service
WASHINGTON. Nov. le.-By die
rection OF Prest Wilson. Sec'y ot
State Lansing today notified Dr. Soil.
German foreign secretary. that
everything possible viii Doe done 20
relieve famine conditions i'm Ger
many. The secretary told Dr. Solt
that the president already has am
nounced here that the allied con-
ference at Versailles had unanimous-
Is agreed TO take every possible step
10 afford relief.
Mr.. Lansing made II plain that
while everything possible will be-
done for Germany il will be condi-
tional on public order being main
tained and an eQuita bic distribution
OF the food guaranteed. He points
out that all OF the idle tonnage is TO
be used in the work Of getting the
foodstuns 10 Germany.
Germany also was told that the
relief work will be along the sys-
tematic lines already so successtulk
in Belgium.
Today's note By Sec'y Lansing wa
sent in reply 10 the first note adj
dressed TO the president by DR. Solf
in which ne asked that the presiden-
use his influence 20 secure modifica-
ton Of the rigid armistice condi-
tions
Text Of Note.
The text Of the note as made pub
lie by the state department was.
From the secretary OF state to
the minister OF Switzerland.
Department of state. Washing
ton. Nov. u, 1918.
"Sir. I have the honor 20 acknowl.
edge the receipt or your note OF to-
day. transmitting 10 the president
the text Of a cable inquiring ~heth-
er this government is ready 10 send
foodstuns into Germany without de-
lay if public order Is maintained in
Germany and an equitable distribu-
tion Of food is guaranteed.
'I should be grateful If you would
transmit the following reply 20 the
German government:
AT a joint session OF the two
houses Of congress on NOV. nth. the
president Of the United States an
nounced that the representative u
the associated governments in the
supreme war council AZ Versailles
have by unanimous resolution as-
sured the peoples Of tho central em-
pires that everything that Is pos
sible in the circumstances viii be
done 20 supply them with food and
relieve the distressing want that -
in so many places threatening their
verv lives. and that steps are 90 ia
taken Immediately 90 organize the-s
efforts AZ relief IN the same systema-
tic manner that they were organized
I'm the case OF Belgium. Further
more the president expressed ths
opinion that by the use of idle tor-
mage OF the central empires e
ought presently 10 be possible 70 lifr
the fear Of utter misery from their
oppressed populations and set their
minds and energies free for The great
and hazardous tasks of political con-
struction which now face them IA
every hand.
Must Maintain Order.
Accordingly the president now
directs me 20 state that he ie ready
10 consider favora bly the supplying
OF foodstufs 20 Germany and 20 ta<a
up the matter Immediately with tbs
allied governments provided he can
be assured that public order is being
and will continue 10 be maintained
in Germany. and that AN equitahla
distribution of food can be clearly
guaranteed
Accept. sir. the renewed assure
ances Of mv highest consideration.
Csignedl ROBERT LANSING"
Mr. Hans Sulzer.
Minister OF switzerland iu chargd
of German interests in the United
C4a4a-H