The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1918-10-07
VICTORY SURE; WHY
TALK OF PEACE?
Continued nom rage /

=
tenn of plural voting, will serve only
to molIify the masses and inure them
to further sacrifices. Neither reform
diminishes the real menace to
peaceful world-the kaiser's power.
He is still the war lord Of the Ger
man empire and the German reich
stag still remains debating society,
diplomats warn.
The Austrian proposal, timed with
that of Germany is viewed as Ger
man-enoineered, though officials are
inclined to believe that internal con-
ditions are forcing tho Austrian hand
much more than in the case of Ger
many. The latter, it is pointed out,
realizes Austria's precarious situa-
ton and is trying to get peace talk
started before the volcano erupts.
The middle west is demanding the
unconditional surrender Of Germany
as the only peace terms this nation
will consider, according to telegram
reaching the white house from Kan
sas today.
kaiser's Proclamation.
BERLIN, (via Basic, Switzerland
Oct. emperor William issued
proclamation to the German army
and navy in which, after announcing
that the Macedonian front had
crumbled. he declared that he had
decided in accord with his allies to
offer peace to the enemy.
The text Of the emperors procla-
nation reads:
For months past the enemy, with
enormous exertions and almost with
out pause in the fighting. has stormed
against your lines, in weeks OF
struggle, often without repose, you
have had to persevere and resist a
numerically far superior enemy.
Therein lies the greatness of the task
which has been set for you and
which you are fulfilling. Troops of
all the German states are doing their
part and are heroical1y defending the
fatherland on foreign soil. Hard is
the task.
My navy is holding its own against
the united enemy naval forces and is
unwaveringly supporting the army in
its difficult struggle.
The eyes Of those. at home rest
with pride and admiration on the
deeds of the army and the navy. l
express to you the thanks of myself
and the fatherland.
The collapse Of the Macedonia
front has occurred in the midst of
the hardest struggle. In accord with
our allies / have resolved once more
to offer peace to the enemy, but
will only extend my hand for an
honorable peace. We owe that to
the heroes who have laid down their
lives to the fatherland and we make
that our duty to our children.
Whether arms will be lowered is
question. Until then we must not
slacken. We must, as hitherto, exert
all our strength until we are ready
to hold our ground against the on
slaught of our enemies.
The hour is grave, but, trusting in
your strength and in Gods gracious
help, we feel ourselves to be strong
enough to defend our beloved father
land.
(Signature) WILHELM
No Consideration Of Proposal.
PARIS, Oct. Germany does not
accept the Wilson terms for peace in
Prince Max's speech to the reich
stag; she merely says the fourteen
and four points form basis for
negotiations"
Therefore, there can be no peace
until Germany makes full PREPARATION
and gives guarantee that will insure
the future.
This is the stand taken in Paris
and all of France on the peace state
ments coming from Germany.
AS stated in the French press
there can be no consideration of the
proposal in its present form. There
must be concurrence, it is declared,
in the evacuation Of Belgium and
France and suitable guarantees be-
fore there can be talk. An armistice
now would give beaten enemy a
chance to reform his shattered
armies and improve his disastrous
military situation.
One newspaper declares 1t is
despairing trick to cheat the allies
and avoid the penalty of infany and
prevent the devastation of Germany
as she has devastated those weak
nations which have opposed her.
One fact stands out:
Gremany knows and admits she is
beaten, but this does not mean that
the war is ended.
Meanwhile the victorious allied
troops are advancing while the mil
lions of eyes of fighters and peoples
are turned hopefully to President
Wilson
Germany leans upon principles
which would only make the arms fall
from our hands" LIE Temps SAYS
Then, when the fighting has ceased.
the German troops have regained
their breath, and the imperial gov
eminent is popular and strong, the
German plenipotentiaries woulds
knock down one after the other the
pretended bases for negotiations.
I'VE should have to re-begin the
war. or sign disastrous peace tina.
would not last long"
Frenchmen Would Fight.
by William Philip Simms, United
Press Staff CORRESPONDENT
PARIS, Oct. 7-"There is no Ere lch !
man who would coffin a lnf. var lse-