The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1918-10-19
WILSON'S MPH SATISFIES.
SENATE HEARS READING OF;
NOTE TO GERMANY WITH
ENTHUSIASM.
Even Ecnry Cabot Lodge Admits
That He Endorses The Position
Taken by President Wilson.

Washington. Oct. 1A-Senators
were 50 we'll pleased with President
Wilson's reply to Germaay's peace
proffer that they broke all prece-
dents and applauded vigorously after
the text of it had been read by Sena-
tor Hitchcock, chairman Of the for
eign relations committee. Later sem
ate leaders, both Democrats and Re-
publicans in formal statements prass-
ed the reply as the forerunner Of an
unconditional surrender by the CEN
trail powers.
Reading of the note, which was
transmitted to the senate through the
press gallery, came as. the climax to
day of debate during which sena-
tors demanded that there be no peace
negotiations until Germany had sur
rendered unconditionally. Before the
debate ended, word reached the SEN
ate that the presidents reply would
| be made public at o'clock and it
was decided to postpone adjourn
ment and await it.
Senator Lodge Of Massachusetts.
the Republican leader, who has Wig
/
course in directing a note of inquiry
to Germany after receipt Of the peace
offer, was among the first senators
to issue a public statement COM
nending the presidents reply.
81 am very glad and genuinely
pleased said Senator Lodge, that
the president takes the ground which
he does Of course everything he
saws about the conduct of the Ger
man government, the German army
and the German navy is absolutely
true. Such conduct is quite sufficient
in itself to put an end to any talk
about an armistice.
."The presidents last .clause In
which he in substance declines to
carry on any discussions with the
German government is eminently sat
isfactory and will, am sure, bring a
great sense of relief to the American
people, who, am certain, ceslre an an
unconditional surrender won by the
armies in the field"
. Senator Hitchcock, chairman Of the
foreign relations committee, said:
"My view is that the president has
removed all doubts that have been
expressed as to the wisdom of his
course and provided against all the
dangers that critics have seen IN the
policies he has been pursuing. He
says in effect that if an arrnlstlce Is
effected, it must be one in which the
generals in the field will approve and
which will preserve the existing su-
premacy of the military forces.
He lays great stress on the fact
: that the conditions to be met will
mean the downfall of military autoc-
: racy of Germany which means radl-
cal amendment to the constitution 01
Germany, which will place the wal
making and the peace making IN the
hands of the people.
.NTo my mind the greatest achieve
ment of the war would be the demo
cratization of Germany, and it is the
best assurance of the future peace OF
the world"
'The note comes up[so al pubi1S
expectation in every way" said Sen
ator Martin of Virginia, the Demo.
cratic leader.
, "Other senator's who issued state.
$ ments approving the reply included
Senators Wadsworth of New Yori
and New Of Indiana, Republicans
$ snd Senators Pittman, Nevada;
Thomas, Colorado; Sheppard, Texas
Ind Overman, North Carolina, Demo
Gratis.