The sun., 1918-10-11

leave Germany alone to face the con-
tinuation Of Foch's batterihg ram or
else accept the alternative Of uncon-
ditional surrender which II Ia pointed
out Is what the Presidents communica-
ton virtually calls for.
No Discussion of Terms.
Fears expressed>to-day in the Senate
by Senator Lodge and others that Ger
many has succeeded In starting a peace
discussion are asserted in Administra-
ton circles to be absolutely groundless
and will be disproved at the proper time.
Germany's answer to the Presidents
query must be unequivocal. Evasion or
reservation on any one of the points of
his communication will close the peace
door just as surely and swiftly as Mega
ton itself.
The suggestion advanced to-day by
the semi-offcial Cologne Gazette that
Germany might ask for counter guaranI
tees that the Allies would evacuate her
conquered colonies II carried out will get
Germany nowhere. The Presidents COM
munication. 1t rs pointed out. admits OF
no counter proposals. Such a sugges-
ton would merely bring rejection of Ger
manys request for an armistice.
With respect TO the Presidents four
teen terms. 1t Is still emphasized in
authoritative quarters that Germany's
acceptance Of them as a basis Of agree
ment and not OF discussion. which Is
what Is called for In the note. virtually
means complete surrender. The Presi-
dent asks II Germany merely wants to
discuss the method Of applying these
principles. Should the answer be in the
affirmative and without reservation, 1t
would practically amount to Germany's
throwing herself upon the mercy of her
enemies nd civilization. and asking that
they deal with her along the lines Of
justice indicated In the Presidents terms.
Application OF the principles can only
follow unreserved acceptance OF them,
| according to the Presidents no compro-
mise sta nd, and unreserved acceptance at
once implies practical guarantees of good
faith fr )m Germany. Evacuation OF all
invaded territory. for example, would
necesss rily result at once from full
fiedged acceptance of the terms, and
there ,ould be no question raised as to
whether or not the German troops would
withdraw.
The question OF giving Russia 'un-
hampered and unembarrassed opportunity
for the independent determination of her
own political development and national
policy" might be discussed around the
conference table. but the question of
cNdCudtlo1 VI all fNuSSldH teiI NOiy 10
made absolute by President Wilson and
is subject to no modification under any
circumstances.
Germany's expressed readiness to ac-
cept this principle would naturally have
to be Immediately supported by actual
withdrawal. A German statement that
| It agreed to evacuate all Russian terri
tory would. OF course, not be regarded
as made in good faith II Germany con-
tinued for a moment to maintain her
troops there.
The same procedure would apply to
the evacuation of all French territory
and Belgium. Rumania, Serbia Monte
negro. &C. Germany would not be in a
| position to discuss whether her troops
would leave, but merely the means
whereby evacuation could be most eff
| fectively and speedily applied.
Belgium Must he Restored.
With respect to Belgium. Germany
would have to agree in advance that
Belgium must be evacuated and re-
| stored without any attempt to limit the
sovereignty which she enjoys, &C." and
Furthermore that this must be a healing
act which will guarantee the structure
| and validity OF International law.
Acceptance OF tho Presidents terms
with respect to Belgium really means
| that Germany agrees to full restoration
and full atonement and realizes that in
| this respect she can only accept what
ever penalties the bar Of justice decides
to-impose.