The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-10-15
GERMAN DEFEAT

GERMAN DEFEAT
Continued from Page one.)
ders, and that the next move in Ber-
lin may come more quickly than is
generally expected.
Military officials, however, are al
most unitedly of the opinion Germany
has not yet been brought to the point
where she will accept the presidents
decision of Monday and seek an armis-
tice on the terms laid down. On the
contrary, they think the military ele-
ments still in control will hold up the
presidents communication to the Ger
man people as proof of their conten-
ton that their eneD,ies are determined
to bring about destruction of the ma
ton and do not desire any peace short
of that. Then they will continue the
retreat Of their armies on the western
front in the hope that an early winter
will find them behind shorter and very
much more powerful ines of defense
close to the German border, but still
on her enemy's soil.
The supreme war council in Paris
has considered the program to be fol-
lowed when the time does come for
cessation of hostilities. 1t also is said
to have been considering plans for
dealing with the Balkan provinces, the
Russian border states, and Finland in
the event Germany should undertake
to evacuate those territories. Ample
precautions will be taken to guard
against an outbreak Of Bolshevism
and anarchy.
Leave 1t to Foch.
| London, Oct. 15.-The German auto
cracy must go. is the heading placed
over President Wilson's reply to the
German peace note by the liberal
Star, which, like most of the liberal
newspapers considers this one of the
I vet ~ - IA
trail powers
A condition in the reply which is
given great display by the newspapers
Is that which asks for guarantees for
the maintenance of the present mill
tary supremacy of the allied armies.
Satisfaction also is expressed with
President Wilson'S reference to the
continued sknkings by the German
subma rines and the "wantdh destruc-
ton" in occupied territory. while his
decision that the conditions of an
armistice must be left to the military
advisers entente appears to agree with
the phrase so often quoted in the
newspapers during the last few days,
Leave II to Foch.' o.4,-
The text OF President Wilson'S, reply
to the German peace offer received
thru press channels was placed in the
hands of the members of the British
government early this morning. The
council met shortly after II o'clock
to consider the presidents response.
Extra Editions Out.
Paris, Oct. 15.-President Wilson'S
reply to Germany. was given to the
public in extra editions of the after
noon newspapers published at noon
today. 1t Immediately became the alb
sorbing topic of discussion in all pub
lie places. The tone Of the sentiment
was distinctly favorable to the reply,
the prevailing note being one of jubi-
lation. =
Washington, Oct. 15.-Uncondition-
al surrender by Germany was the in
depreciation put on President Wilson's
answer to the German plea for peace
by both American and allied military
officials here. Only by absolute sur
render they said, can the enemy now
prevent the terminating evidence OF
his defeat-invasion Of Germany.
There is no doubt among officers
that sooner or later the enemy will be
compelled to accept these uncom-
promising terms. The German army
is being pounded to death in the field,
they declared and the only thing Ger
many can hope to save from the
| carried across her border. And that
can be accomplished only at the price
| of putting herself as utterly at the
| mercy of the victors ms did Bulgaria.
Military opinion appeared to be in
! full agreement that in enunciating the
I policy that absolute safeguards and
guarantees Of the present military SUI
| premacy" of American and allied
| forces must control an arfhistice
| agreement, President Wilson had
| placed it beyond the power OF Ger
| many to reap any benefit from an in
sincere move toward peace.
Kaiser Must Retire.
Kaiser Wilhelm must step down OF
else his powers must be cuStailed sc
| that he is the mere igurehead before
Germany can have peace.
| That is anotheri basic meaning be-
hind President Wilson's decision
with respect to a peace with the Ger
| man people.
He can remove himself as the car
| of Russia did long before him and as
/ other monarchs have done since. On
| he can be removed by the German
! people themselves-tired of his God.
given" exercise of power to kill them
| quietly have an internal political re-
| form which will wholly emascuiate his
| powers to declare war and peace
That summarizes the way out for Ger.
many, as seen here today.
/ Germany must also eliminate the
burst of extreme ruthlessness that has
marked her military program more
| than usual in the past few weeks.
( There will be no spirit of revenge II
| President Wilson's program succeeds
He holds that only the spirit of JUS
tice must prevail at the peace table
| That President Wilson expects fur
Their discussion is evident from his lib
erty loan appeal, wherein he urged
Americans to subscribe fully, at the
same time saying:
IT earnestly request every patriotic
American to leaye to the governments
of the United states and the allies the
momentous discussions initiated b,
| Germany
Relaxation at this time, he said
would be fatal to victory. Militar,
men believe the peace discussion ha
shaken morale to its foundations ii