Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-10-09

German overtures unless Germany ac-
cepts all the conditions heretofore laid
down and at once evacuate all occu-
pied territory. | interpret 1t to mean
with regard to these cvacuations Ger
man withdrawal from Belgium, France.
italy. Rumania and Serbia and per
hans also Russia and that thereafter the
conference shall deal exclusively with
the details incident to Gsrmany's un-
qualified acceptance OF the conditions
laid down In the IRE osident's speech OF
January s. 1918. and subsequent sup
Elementary conditions stated by him.
Il interpret the note also to mean that
by the ust Of the word accept the Presi-
dent means to accept the conditions va
riously laid down by him and not 10
accept them simply as a basis OF further
negotiations.
senator Reed. Democrat, Of Missouri:
as interpret the Presidents answer.
the language. although polite and diplo-
matte really amounts to three emands
"One That the German Government
must unequivocally accept all Of the con-
ditions heretofore laid down by the
President. leaving nothing 10 discuss eS-
cept their mere practical application.
Two. That the President must be as
sured the Imperial German Chancellor
is speaking not only for the German
authorities responsible for bringing on
the war. but that he also represents and
speaks for the people OF Germany. That
s to say. If understand the President,
he insists. as he did in his address OF
September -. that those who speak for
Germany in making treaties must repre-
sent some other element than those who
have heretofore violated and disregarded
the treaties
Three. | understand the President 10
demand as condition precedent to any
armistice Whatsoever that the Teutonic
Powers must withdraw absolutely from
every foot OF territory that they now
hold by conquest.
Il wisl he might have added as a
preliminary to any negotiations de-
mand for Il complete military surrender
of the Teutonic Powers, including, OF
course. Turkey.
II was unwilling for this war to begin.
I am unwilling it shall end until fun
reparation is made and those responsible
for its great crimes and cruelties are
brought 10 punishment | fear this will
not be accomplished unless Germany
shall he compelled to lay down her arms.
She will not lay down her arms until
our men are upon her soil. The result
desired will not be ACCOMPLISHED by
diplomacy, but by armies in the field"
senator Penrose. Republican, PennsyI-
ysnis:
Until the territory occupied by Ger
many has been entirely evacuated there
can he no discussion OF peace. Even
when that is done there are many other
important prelminaries that must pre-
cede actual peace negotiations"
senator McKeilsr. Democrst. T.nnes-
see:
MY own view Is that no srmistiCe or
peace Of any kind should be discussed
until an absolute and unconditional sur
render by Germany to the Allies. At
his stage of the game the only thing to
do Ia to settle with Germany with her
head at the muzzle Of a gun. Germany
is simply flying the white flag for the
purpose OF muddying the waters. She
knows she is going 20 be beaten and she
, is trying to gain. by miserable diplomacy,
what she knows she cannot gain by
arms This is our time to fight German
armies and to pay the least possible
attention to her pertidious talk.
senator Borsh. Republican. Idaho;
"lf the response should be that the
the terms laid down by the President In
his address of January \, 1918. and sub
sequent addresses, then IL must neces-
! esssrily follow that the dynasty must
step down and out, because in the ad-
dress Of September %, which the lm-
I perial German Chancellor mentions, the
President expressly states that we can
not come 10 terms nor have any bargain
/ with the Government Of Germauy The
note is we'll designed 20 clarity a very
involved situation
senator Overmsn, Democrat, Norti
Carolina:
The President does right in refusinl
to deal with Germany while her armies
are on conquered territory. l like tina
part OF the note especially which sug
gests they fnould get out before talking
OF an armisticP. In making the lnquir,
as to whom Prince Macmillan repre-
sents the President merely wants I,
know with whom he is dealing. and 1t 1
: very pertinent inquiry, The Presden
demands that the German Governmen
should come out i'm the open and be en-
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