The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1918-10-26
MHlT note hElhs.


INDICATES WILLINGNESS To
EVACUATE UNDER AGREE
.ssss lIENT TO BE REACHED
By MILITARY CHIEFS
IN FIELD.
Nose Declares U-Boat Commanders
Have Been Ordered to Cease Their
Attacks on; Passenger Vessels.
washington, Oct. 21.-Germany has
replsed to President Wilson with a
note which, though no one is prepared
s to say it will lead the president even
TO continue exchanges on the subject
OF an armistice and peace, at least
has served almost to bring conviction
here that the people Of Germany ac-
tnaly are taking. the reins of govern
merit and sincerely desire peace on
any terms the United States and the
allies are willing to give
There was no official intimation
here tonight Of the attitude of the
president, and probably there will be
none until the official text of the
new German communication has been
received. The president was In con-
ference all evening with Secretary
Iasing discussing the note as re-
cetyed by wireless late in the day.
like the reply to the presidents IN
auiries a week ago, this note was sent
ont from the German wireless sta
taons and picked up in the allied
countries many hours before the Off
ciaI text could move by cable. The
oflcial version probably will come
tomorrow through the Swiss legation
here.
AS received by wireless the note is
believed to be slightly garbled in the
Important sentences regarding condl-
lions for the evacuation of invaded
terfitory and for an armistice. but
nerertheless, it is regarded as an
aMkWard attempt to meet the cond1-
tons laid down by President Wilson
for consideration of an arnistice.
And it makes the significant decla-
ration that the government in Ber-
s In no longer is responsible to a SIM
s gle arbitrary inf1eunce-the kaiser
but IS supported by an overwhelming
SMaiority OF the German people.
This declaration is supported by
the statement that constitutional re-
forms are in progress in accord with
the hedeter1nination OF the people un-
der which no government can take
or hold Office without confidence OF
the majority of a Reichstag elected
BY universal, secret suffrage. It is ac-
corded more consideration here be-
cause ofsconfdential advices received
only today indicating that the Ger
man middle classes have resolved to
have peace at any price, and if nee
essary. are prepared to get rid OF the
Emperor, the Crown Prince and all
military control.
Thus the belies is strengthened
that the present note and those which
have gone before are genuine efforts
to obtain peace, and are inconciusive
snderely because the Germans conduct
ing the exchanges are seeking: to bar
gain for something better than the
surrender they are pre-
pared to give il pushed to the wall. It
rs assumed also that they want to
Gradua1ly prepare the German pub
tic for a realization of what has hap
;pened to thesr military machine and
tie war lords dreams Of power, so
as to- avoid a complete collapse OF
government.
Diplomatic observers point out that
the president is at liberty with per-
fect CONSISTENCY TO make no response
at this time, but to. await develop
3ments, await the performance OF the
promises of the Germans not to tor
pedo passenger ships, their implied
promise to work no more destruction
during their retreat from Belgium
and France than military necessity
requires, and finally to await further
development of the political leaven
which evidently is working toward
the complete overthrow Of military
antocratic power in the empire. No
one believes that an immediate mill
.4ary cessation of hostilities Is in
sight The opinion most generally
held is that il Mr. Wilson decides to
make a reply, and if the entente gov
,ernments agree, the only step pos
sible at this time would he to sane
ton arrangements to be dictated by
Cen Foch in the field for withdrawal
oe the Germans without further fight
ing. such arrangements, Of course,
would sbe contingent upon guarantees
Of continued supremacy Of the VIZ
torious allied armies, and coMse7
quently virtually would mea6 sur
render for the Germans.
M The Official view heret SO far has
been that evacuation 81 invaded ter
ritory must be COMPLETED before there
~ 4 Il fIn