Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1918-09-20
Germany'S Peace Move
SmOthered by Wilson

WASHINGTON, Sept. 17.-Germany <
latest peace offensive has been smoth-
cred. That was how official Washing
ton today generally regarded President
Wilson's summary refusal to JOIN an
Austrian "get-tOgether" peace council
And, the nation applauded, regardless
Of party lines.
The speed and brevlty of the an
swer are regarded here as calculated
to delay the Tcuton maneuvering con-
siderably. 1t is believed, however, that
the answer will not altogether squelch
the peace offensive. All advices to the
state department indicate a German
plan for a desperate peace play this 1aIl
and winter hence it is assumed tha-
Germany or her tool, Austria, will put
forth further insincere peace efforts
later.
President Wilson'S reply, saying flat
ly that our terms are well known and
hence that no conference can be had,
is the document this government has
issued in diplomatic correspondence.
And it was made public. only half
hour after the official Austrian protter
had been presented to Secretary OF
State Lansing.
This is a record for both brevity and
speed.
The purpose behind this course was
to set an example for all the othei
allies; to still any paci1ist comment III
This country; and to show Germany that
this country is In no wise "blutfing
about it's determination to so through
until its terms are acceptable.
1t meant, in plain language, that II
Austria wanted to accept wilson
terms-notably those OF last January
she has a chance any time but that she
could not get secret council and she
could not place the burden of respon-
sibility for continued war upon the
allies.
The effect within Germany and Aus
lria is likely to be the reverse or Wha'
the TcutonS hoped. They apparently
planned to use rejection TO bolster W
heir armies waning morale on the plea
that this is u war of self-defense WIN
the opponents bent on destruction OF
Germany. Wilson, however, robbed the
central powers Of this plea, for he SAID
hat he had spoken candidly in the
past-aud that his terms then are his
terms now.
These terms would restore Belgium
rob Germany of her stolen gains III
Russia, right the wrong done AlSdcc'
Lorraine, give small nations the rlgh'
Of seE-Getermination, avoid punitive
indemnities or anneXations, establish a
world peace league ana Tree the UNI
verse OF detrimental influences that
could hereafter disrupt world peace.
America proposes to fight on And
having abandoned all hope of a nego-
tlatcd peace she will throw 4,OOO,OOU
men in the struggle next year to gain
a military victory from which she and
her allies can dictate the Wilson terms
Almost Immediately after receiving
the Austrian governments note from
the minister from Sweden, MIR. Eken-
grcn. Secretary Lansing last night is
sued ;his formal statement:
l am authorized by the president
70 state .hat the following will be
the reply of this government to the
Austro- Hungarian note proposing an
unofficial conference of belliger-
entS:
The government of the United
States feels that there is only one
reply which it can make to the suS-
gestion of the imperial Austro- Hun
garlan government. 1t has repeat
edly and with entire candor stated
States would consider and can ana
will entertain no proposal for con-
the terms upon which the United
ference upon a matter concerning
which it has made it's position and
purpose so plain.