The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-10-09


.cr 20 believe .th.t tho procedure fol-
lowed, and even the form Of the commu-
notation itself. was discussed with and
had the approval OF the allied spokss-
men.
Discussed by Cable, en-
Cable exchanges. II r. known. went on
all day Sunday ana yesterday and the
President, Il n assumed. was fully APP
prised OF the Views OF the entente repre-
sentatives before he formed his comnu-
nication. But these nations have pre-
ferred that the Presfden tshsll draw out
the German Government acting In HIS
Individual capacity.
lThe President drew up the note of
inquiry last evening. Col. House ar
rived at the White House late last night
and went over Il with tho President.
With the whole world awaiting the
fatefui psessage from the White House
summoned Secretary Lansing and Sec
rotary Tvmulty to the whate House and
. conference ensued. lasting more than
an hour. In which the note was discussed
ana certain slight changes made.
hot the slightest hint was allowed to
e6f o0t that the President was intend
ind to address an inquiry to the German
Government Members OF the Caetnet
were among those kept uniformed
until the Cabinet meeting was held at
o'clock. Then the President read to
his official family thu note he had pro-
pared. II met with hearty approval.
Before tho Cabinet meeting II had been
announced thHt statement would be
issued by Secretary Lansing at =
O'Clock. Promptly at that hour MT.
Landing appeared In the diplomatic re-
caption room OF the White House. ana
to the assembled correspondents copies
Of the Presidents communication. At
the same time the official copy OF the
coTnmunication was delivered by mes
senger at the Swiss Legation and in
stantiy put on the cables for transmits
sion to Germany via Berne.
ut Is not q reply but an inquiry
Secretary Lansing said to the corre-
spondents as he handed out the note.
Aside from this he had no comment to
make.
Rejection Was Expected.
AZ first fush the note seemed disap-
pointing to those who had anticipated
seeing the so-called peace issue effec-
lively snuffed out with . few strokes OF
the Presidents pen. II had already be-
come clear to all that the German APP
peal for an armistice would be sum-
MARTY rejected and that there could be
no discussion OF terms 80 long 'as Ger
many held her position as beiligerent
having control Of Invaded territory. The
only question about which there ad-
mittediy was doubt was the method to
be followed by the President in en-
phasixing these points.
The note to the Imperial German
Chancellor, which now forms such an
important feature Of the method en-
pioyed. had not been reckoned on and
therefore injected q factor into the
situation which was not Immediately
appreciated.
The real Importance OF this inquiry
was moro appreciated after analysis
Of its real meaning and It's relationship
to present internal conditions in the
disturbed nations Of the Central EN-
pires
The President apparently does no,
propose to permit the Imperial German
Chancellor to resort to the familiar
German trick Of interpreting the Pred.
dents reply-when II IL made--to near
that the United States and the Entente
Allies are bent upon the destruction OF
the peoples Of the Central Empirea
Tho President although addressing hi
inquiry to the German Chancellor has
virtually in effect Addressed the German
people. It Will be impossible. It is
pointed out. for the German statesmen
to withhold from their own people this
query Of the President. which to be un
dsrstood properly requires reference &c
every utterance the President has made
with respect to terms and to the menace
q sutocray. >. 8 -
sFeurteen Peinta- Real. Lame.
Upon thia, point. the greatest emphasis
WIS laid to-day IN official quarters
namely that proper Interpretation of tn,
ousnmunication absolutely requires in tn.
American and the German public q ref.
eTence to the fourteen terms Of the Pres
tdent. These points follow:
1. Open covenants OF peace only A.
rived at, after which there shall be n,
private international understandings o
any kind, but diplomacy shall procee,
always frankly and in the public view.
3. Absolute freedom of navigation upo,
the seas outside territorial waters alilt
in peace and In war except as the sea
may be closed in whole or In part b.
international action for the enforcement
of international covenants.
.. The removal so far as possible o
ali economic barriers and the establish
ment Of an equality Of trade condition
among all nations consenting to tn
peace and associating themselves for 1t
maintenance.
4. Adequate guarantees given an,
taken that national arnaments win b
reduced to the lowest point consisten
with domestic safety.
Question of Colonial Claims.
3. A free. open minded and absolutel.
impartial adjustment of all coionis
claims. based upon a strict Observance
Of the principle that In determining al
such questions of sovereignty the inter
ests OF the populations concerned mus
have equal weight with the equitabl
claims of the Government whose title
to be determined
.. The evacuation OF all Russian terri
tory and such a settlement of all ques
lions affecting Russia az will secure tn
best and freest cooperation of the othe
nations OF the world In obtaining for he
an unhampered and unembarrsssed or
portunity for the independent determi
nation of her own political development
and national policy. and assure her G
n sincere welcome into the society @
free nations under institutions of he
own choosing. and more than a WELDON
assistance also of every kind that sh
may need and may herself desire. TIL
treatment accorded Russia by her siste
nations in the months to come will be tn
acid test of their good will. OF their CON
prehension of her needs as distlnguishe
from their own interests and OF their ir
teiligent and unselfish sympathy.
Belgium Must he Restored.