The sun., 1918-10-25
President Wilson and the Two
Germanys.

IT Is plain, from n further study Of
the Presidents note. that he Is speak
ing as a maker Of peace by negotia-
ton only to Germany Of the future.
To the Germany Of the present, the
Germany Of the War Lord Kaiser.
the Germany of autocracy built on
militarism. the criminal assailant Of
The peace Of the world and the blood
stained murderer Of millions Of men.
women and children during the four
years past, he continues to speak
only as the maker Of just war by
force without stint.
To this German Government Of the
present the President speaks no
peacemaker words. His attitude Is
infiexible. and II Is clearly consistent
with his previous utterances. He
meant what he said on the Fourth Of
July at Mount Vernon when he noti-
Jed the Kaiser's Government that
there could be no talk OF peace until
after ''the destruction Of every arbi-
trary power anywhere that can sep
arately, secretly and Of its single
choice disturb the peace of the world.
OF its reduction to virtual impotency."
He meant what he said ten days ago
when he repeated this demand as a
condition precedent to peace. with the
additional declaration that the evi.
lence Of such change II the German
fabric of government must be def
uite and the guarantees satisfactory.
He means what he said night be-
fore last when he told this same still
eStsting Government that its profess
Sions of reform were not 10 be
rusted; that the check 1t preferred
could not be accepted until 1t was
certified by "veritable representa-.
ives" Of the German people; that
for the military masters and mon.
archIcal autocrats Of the Germany
which exists there could be no terms
short Of surrender.
In this attitude toward the Ger
many Of to-day the President un1ues-
lionably represents the spirit and
purpose of America and the Allies.
There has been no stronger express
;iion. even from his own lips or pen.
IF the fixed determination Of the
forces of civilized democracy not to
quit the battlefield until the Kaiser
and his dynasty and the baleful
power of evil to the world they rep
resent have been eliminated. by mill.
yary victory, from the political and
diplomatic situation. No intelligence
hat is vocal on our own side Of the
line between right and cruel. deadly
wrong is now more plainly indicating
and calling for the abdication of VIII
helm and the remuneration of his dy-
nastic SUCCESSORS than the intelligence
and voice Of Mr.. WILSON.
Why Is it. then. that expressions Of
dissatisfaction with the tone of the
Presidents latest reply through Sec
retary LANSING to Doctor SoLF. and
through Or SoLF to Prince MAXI
MILAN, and through the Imperial
Chancellor to the Kaiser and the oil
garchy of which he is the centre,
should be heard in any American
quarter?
In the Presidents own phrase it is
a time for plain speaking" There is
no good reason for blinking the fact
that his note is criticised here and
there either for saying too much or
FOR saying too little. A statesman so
discerning and patriotic as Senator
LODGE does not hesitnte to pronounce
The note illogical In that 1t continues
he conversation with persons whom
The President has refu ed to credit
with truth or honor. Mr.. LODGE thinks
th"t the reply should have been lin.
tied strictly to a demand for uncondi.
tIonal surrender. The same qualified
discomfort appears in the comments OF
what Mr.. WILSON has APPLY styled
the opinion Of outdoors" THE Sun is
receiving scores Of letters (Which we
thould Willingly print If space were
Available for ALL, expressing impa.
ience with the continuance Of any
sort Of communication with Germany
Beyond the brief and Inexorable de-
rree of the victor debating terms.
All this criticism as to the ade
quacy OF the method is friendly ant
respectful, and 1t proceeds from citi
sens wholly and Loyalty In accord
with the President. but without hi.
heavy and complex responsibilities
We are quick TO believe that 1t vii
cease as soon as his controlling ide,
Of the two Germanys is generally An
pretended. He certainly is not labor
Ing with voice and pep IN mak
phrases soft to the ears ana pless,n
sNA