The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-10-25
PROMPT DECISION LIKELY

mering of the victorious allied and American armies.
 PROMPT DECISION LIKELY
 No one here today will undertake to forecast the probable time of final decision in Germany's plea. It Is known, however, that the supreme war council already has given the matter the most earnest consideration. And in that connection it was recalled that there was no delay in notifying Gen. eral D'Espernay, the allied commander on the Balkan front, of the terms that should be laid down for Bulgaria when that nation asked for an armistice. The general principles in each case are prob ably similar, but there necessarily will be a great variance in the details, since not only is a greater army and coun- try to be dealt with, but the Ques- talon of large naval forces as we'll Certain utterances of entente statesmen and of inspired official organs have led to the surmise here that while accept ing the terms laid down by President Wilson there may be a disposition to inject new matters to meet individual demands and to propose new points based upon every shifting conditions, It is believed, however. that if such should prove the case, the new points probably would be dealt with in connection with final peace negotiations. and need not delay the consideration of the form of armistice.
 US. REPRESENTATIVES ABROAD
 The United States already has
 capable army and naval officers in
 Europe prepared to deal with the
 technical questions involved in an
 armistice, and if 1t should become
 necessary to consider political is-
 sues, President Wilson will also be
 amply represented by chosen agents.
 The entente premiers, whose duty
 1t Is to deal with these political
 questions, can be speedily asscm-
 bIed at the most convenient entente
 capital to meet the Presidents rep
 resentatives.
 General approval of the Presidents reply to Germany and of his action in transmitting Germany's request to the allied governments was voiced here today in official and diplomatic circles. Although several senators were known to have prepared addresses on the situa- tion, there was no discussion on the note in the Senate. Most senators, however, both privately and in public statements on the subject, praised the course Senator Lodge of Massachusetts, the republican leader who disapproved the note, was ready to speak today and it was said that when the Senate reconvened Monday after three day recess there will be a general peace discussion.
 TWO POINTS EMPHASIZED
 Two points m the Presidents note generally emphasized in official circles were his plain notice that the only kind of armistice acceptable to the United States Is one carrying with 1t virtual and that even if the terms are complied with there can be no deal- ings looking to peace with the Kaiser and the German war lords.
 The terms laid down by the
 President for an nrnistice were
 said to he without precedent In
 the history of warfare. Usually
 an armistice fs defined as sus-
 pension of h0stilities for specific
 purposes, such peace neGotia-
 tions, and involves simply the
 maintenance O. the status quo on
 each side. Hut the President has
 laid down the demand that the arr I nintice shaIl make 1t impossible
 for the German army to again re-
 new hostiiit.rs. No mention was
 made In the note about the evacu-
 ation of invaded territory. but far
 more thnn that would he neces-
 snry to meet the Presidents de.
 mand.
 Details of the armistice must be worked out by the military advisers of the governments arrayed against Germany They would include condi- tions under which the German armies would evacuate Belgium and France; occupation of stra ategic points in Ger many by allied and American forces so as to remove the possibility of renewal of hostilitiesi demobilizat ton of the German army. restriction on the of supplies and muni- tons. occupation of strategic naval bases and the treatment of German naval vessels and submarines.
 MAY REFUSE TERMS
 Officials do not overlook the fact that a check to the orderly prepara- tion for an armistice may be caused by the refusal of the German govern men. to accept the severe terms as out lined by the President in his reply to Berlin. which probably already has reached Germany in official form the Swiss government as well as by wireless from Arlington, from which it was sent broadcast
 The present German government. 1t was said, may refuse terms tantamount to complete surrender and appeal to the German people to continue the War. In this connection. 1t was noted that the government now in power has mede it, plain that there ir no thought of restorinK Alsace-Lorrane to