Evening star., 1918-10-13
WARNING IS GIVEN
NOT TO BE MlSLED
BY "PEACE'- OFFER

~ .7S- VI ] 1ta
Continued from First Page.)
les. it is found that the German state
secretary of foreign affairs answers
categorically the Presidents ques-
| tions.
President Wilson asked:
| Does the imperial chancellor mean
that the imperial German government
accepts the terms laid down by the
President in his address to the Con-
gress OF the United States on the 9Th
OF January last and in subsequent ad-
dresses, and that its object in enter
ing into discussions would be only to
agree upon the practical details of
their application"
To that the note of last night re-
piled:
THE German government has ac-
cepted the terms laid down by Presi-
dent Wilson in his address of January
the Sth and in his subsequent ad-
dresses on the foundation of a perma-
nent peace of justice. Consequently
It's object in entering into discussions
would be. only to agree upon practical
details of the application Of those
terms"
As to Armistice.
next OF the PfeSfdentS in
qulr1es related to the German request
Tor an imm mediate armistice on land.
sea and in the air. The language of
Prince Macmillan in that regard
was:
With a view to avoiding further
oloodshed the German government re-
quests the immediate conclusion of
an armistice on land and water and
in the air."
1t must be borne in mind, it was
said last night, that President Wilson
is not called upon to decide alone
whether there shall be an armistice.
He can only propose it to the allies
with which this government is CO.
operating.
1t is the territory of France. Bel
glum, Italy and Russia which is in
vaded. The United States, it is point
ed out, could not coerce the owners os
those territories into ceasing fighting
and permitting the Germans to peace
1ully withdraw if the entente allies
chose to fight on.
In the communication through the
Swiss charge daffairs intended for
Prince Macmillan Secretary Lansing,
speaking of an armistice, used these
Words:
THE. President feels bound to say
with regard to the suggestion of an
armlstice that he would not feel at
liberty to propose cessation of arms
to the governments with which the
United States s'associated against the
central powers so long as the armies
of those powers are on their soil"
Thus the President made it clear
that he would. even in event of ac-
ceptance of his suggestion. go no fur
ther than to propose to the allies the
request submitted by Germany He
did not agree to recommend it.
In this city last night military Off
GERS pointed out that the Germans
would gain vastly by being permitted
to withdraw their forces in peace, in
stead of getting out at the point of
the bayonet with consequent losses in
men and material
This view may also present itself to
the allles and govern them in their
decision whether they will accept an
armlstlce. 1T was suggested.
me last of the inquiries involves, it
1T believed here, the crux of the oues-
tion whether an armistice may be pro
posed. The Lansing note said:
Mr.. Lansing on Armistice.
"The President also feels that he is
justified in asking whether the i'm
perial chancellor is speaking merely
for the constituted authorities of the
empire who have so far conducted the
war. He deems the answers to these
questions vital from every point of
view"
The German state secretary of the
foreign office in his reported note last
night replied to that question as fol-
lows:
"The present German government,
which has undertaken the responsible
ity for this step toward peace, has
been formed by conferences and in
the reichstag. The chancellor, sup
ported in all his ACTIONS by the Win
of this majority, speaks in the name
Of the German government and of the
German people,"
Contains Vital Elements.
Officials in this city who know the
Presidents opinion Of the German
rulers realize that this clause of the
proposition contains the vital ele-
ments of the situation. 1t remains to
be seen whether President Wilson will
feel satisfied in his own mind that
he will be dealing with a responsible
government in negotiating with the
one described by the foreign secre-
tary.
President Wilson and those around
him have the profoundest distrust of
the German rulers. He has expressed
it recently in public utterances when
he referred to them in terms of con-
tempt.
Has the leopard changed his spots? :?
will, it is thought here, be the Presi-
dents first thought in reading that
explanation of the responsibility of
the authors of the peace note.
Can Kaiser Vetop
Moreover, it is declared, the Presi-
dent may feel called upon to weigh
the question whether, in the German
governmental structure, the govern
ment" described by the foreign secre-
tary is free from the possibility of it's
acts being vetoed by the kaiser and
the military rulers?
Will not. it is urged. the President
be compelled to make sure in his own
mind that the acts of this govern
ment" may not later be disavowed by
the military rulers, If advantage can
thereby be gained?
their munitions and armament are
safely withdrawn within the borders
of Germany, will it be possible for the
German kaiser and his followers to re-
pudiate the action of the govern
ment" which, as Secretary. Solf ex-
plains, has been formed by confer
ences and in agreement with the great
majority of the reichstag!'
Who Was at Conferencep
With whom were these conferences
held? it was asked last night The
note did not state. t. only said the
government had been formed by con-
ferences" and in agreement with the
great majority of the reichstag.
Another question was held to be
there presented: Does the minority of
the reichstag comprise, perchance. the