The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1918-10-16

proposal with a decision which not
only fulflls the expectations Of sup
perters Of his diplomacy but also dis
pels the fears Of those who predicted
he would substitute victories at arms
with feats at diplomacy.
No peace with haisexism, autocracy
must go, no armistice can ever be
thought of while, Germany continues
her atrocities on land and sea, one
can not be considered unless it is fully
dictated by the allied commanders il,
the field in such terms as absolutely
provide safeguards and guarantees
that Gerlnany's part will not be a
scrap of paper.
This in few words is the presi-
dents answer.
If it does not bring capitulatior.
which may be more than an uncondi-
1ional surrender, allied diplomats
and American officials believe it may
cause a revolution in Germany.
Beyond question it speaks for the
entente allies as well as the United
States.
The dispatch Of the presidents re-
ply was followed by the issue of this
formal statement at the White House
by Secretary Tumulty:
'sThe government will continue to
send over 25o, 1000 men with their sup
plies every month and there will be
no relaxation of any kind
Quite outside Of the formal phrases
of a diplomatic document, that was
President Wilson'S words to the world
that he had no thought of stopping
the fighting at this stage.
The senate chamber rang with the
applause of senators as the presi-
| dents answer was read a few min
utes after it had been announced at
the State department. Senator Lodge.
the presidents chief critic in his
course, until today, issued a statement
expressing his qualification at the
presidents decision. Opinion at the
capitol and throughout official Wash
ington was unanimously in approval.
The official note which will convey
the presidents answer to the Ger
man government and more import
ant, the German people, was deliver
ed today by Secretary Lansing to tha
charge of the Swiss legation who has
been acting as the, intermediary. It
vas given out publicly by Mr Ian
sing at the State department at {
O'clock this afternoon in full. It fol-
lows:
'tSir: In reply to, the communica-
ton of the German government dat
ed the 18th instant, which you hand
ed me today, have the honor to re.
quest you to transmit the following
answer:
THE unqualified acceptance by the
present German government and by
y large majority Of the reichstag o;
the terms laid down by the president
of the United States Of America in his
address to the congress of the United
States on the Sth OF January, 1918.
and in his subsequent addresses justi-
fies the president in making a frank
and direct statement of his decision
| with regard to the communications
of the German government of the
| Sth and 18th of October, 1918.
"H must be clearly understood
that the process OF evacuation and
the conditions of an armistice are
! matters which must be left to the
judgment and advice Of the military
advisers of the government Of the
United States and the allies govern
ments and the president feels it his
| duty to say that no arrangements can
be accepted by the government Of the
United States which does not provide
absolutely satisfactory safeguard and
guarantees of the maintenance Of the
| present military supremacy of the
, armies of the United Sttaes and the
allies in the field.
"He feels confident that he can
safely assume that this will also be
the judgment and decision Of the al
lies governments.
1.-THE president feels that it is also
his duty to add that neither the gov
ernment of the United States nor, he
is quite sure the governments with
which the government Of the United
States is associated as belligerent,
will consent to consider an armistice
so long as the armed forces of Ger
many continue the illegal and inhu-
name practices which they still per-
sist in.
''At the very time that the Ger
man government approaches the gov
ernment of the United States with
proposals Of peace it's submarines are
engaged in sinking passenger ships at
sea and not the ships alone, but the
very boats in which their passengers
and crews seek to make their way to
safety, and in their present enforced
withdrawal from Flanders and
France the German armies are pur-
suing course Of wanton destruc-
tion which has always been regard d
as in direct violation Of the rules a..d
practices of civilized warfare. Cities
and villages, if not destroyed, are be-
ing stripped of all they contain not
only. but often OF their very inhabi-
tants
'The nations associated agains;
Germany can rot be expected to agree
+o n ooceot;op of war while acts Of