The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-10-09
A MASTER STROKE


 Among diplomats here the Presidents communication is regarded as one or his master strokes. It Is pointed out that upon cursory examination 1t may not show such strong terms as some may have desired. All the Presidents advisers, however, are confident that as a close examination reveals it's full inn port it will be apparent that 4t is long step forward if Germany really means peace, and that if she does not It will strip bare another hypocrisy of German diplomacy so completely that the responsibility for prolonging the war never can be charged to the al- lies. even by the German people them selves.
 The Presidents communication was made public today by Secretary L4an- sing, together with the official text of Prince Maximilian's note now pup lished in America for the first time. At the same time officials let 1t be known that there would be no reply at present to the Austrian note, similar to that of the German chancellor. 1T is not considered necessary to deal with Austria until the time comes for re- ply to her dominating ally.
 NOTES ANNOUNCED In announcing his action, Secretary Lansing issued the following: Department of State, October s, 1913. The Secretary of State makes public the following communications:
 From the charge d'affaires. ad interim of Switzerland, in charge of German in- terests in the United States: Legation of Switzerland. Washington. D. C., October 6, 1913.
 Department Of German Interests. MT. President: I have the honor to transmit herewith, upon instructions from my government, the original text of A communication from the German government, received by this legation late this afternoon. from the swiss foreign office.
 An English translation of this com munication is also enclosed. The Ger man original text, however, is alone to be considered as authoritative.
 Please accept, MT. President, the as- surance of my highest consideration.
 F. OEDERLIN. Charge D'Affaires a. 1. of Switzerland. In Charge of German Interests in the United States.
 MT. Woodrow Wilson,
 President of the United States. Wash ington. (Enclosure)
 Translation of communication from German government to the President of the United States, as transmitted by the charge d'affaires a. i, of Switzerland, on October 6, 1918:
 TEXT OF GERMAN NOTE
 The German government re- auests the President of the United States of America to take steps for the restoration of peace, to notify all beIligerents of this request and fo invite them to delegate pleni- potentiaries for the purpose of t.rsu~ nm uexotiatiOns.
 The German government accepts, as . basis for the peace negotta- tt0ns. the programme laid down hy the President of the United States in his message to Congress of January s, 1918. and in his sub sequcnt announcements, particu- Iarly in his address of September 2s. 1918.
 In order to avoid further blood shed the German government re- quests to bring about the imme- diate conclusion of . general ar nistice on land. on water and in the air.
 MAX. FRINGE OF BADEN.
 Imperial Chancellor.
 AMERICAS REPLY
 From the Secretary of State to the
 Charge d,Affairs of Switzerland.
 Department of State,
 october s. 101S.,
 have the honor to ackn0syl- edge, on behalf of the President. your note of October 6, enclosing the communication from the Ger man government to the President: and I am instructed by the Prest- dent to request you to make the following communication to the imperial German chancellor:
 Before making reply to the re- quest of the imperial German gov crnment. and in order that that re- ply shall De as candid and straight forward as the mOmentous inter- o9ta involved require. the Presi- dent of the United States deems 1t Seeessary to assure hlnseIf of the eaact meaning of the note of the 1upeRl11 chanceIlOr. noea the 1m- 1ex1al ohanecl1nk mean that the