Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1918-10-15
SURRENDER SOON
ON WILSON, TERMS,
HUNS ONLY COURSE
In No Other Way Can Kaiser
Keep Allies Out of Germany,
Washington Declares.
ALL TRICKERY BLOCKED
By Associated Press 10 Every Evening

By Associated Press 10 Every Evening
Washington, Oct unconditional
surrender by Germany was the tnterpre-
tation put on President Wilson's answer
tn the German plea for peace by both
American and allied military officials
here. Only by the absolute surrender they
said can the enemy now prevent the
terminating evidence Of his defeat in
vnsion OF Germany
There Is no doubt among officers that
the enemy soon viii hc compelled to ac-
ccPt these Incorporating terms the
German army IS being pounded 10 death
in the field. they declared, ard the only
thing Germany can hope 10 save from the
wreckage IS 20 prevent the war being
carried across her border and that can
he accomplished only at the price Of put
ting herself rs utterly at the mercy Of the
victors rs did Bulgaria
WILSON HLocKs SHARP pRAcTICEs.
Military opinion appeared to be in full
agreement that III enunciating the policy
that absolute safeguards and guarantees
OF the present military supremacy" Of
American and allied forces must control
any armistice agreement President Will
son Ind placed ii beyond the power Of
Germany to reap any benefit from an in
sincere move toward peace
The question of the agencies 10 be en-
pl0ved IN framing arnistice conditions
naturally will como up only when Ger
/ many has cornplled with the Presidents 5
other requirements. II seemed probable
tp officers, however, that the military
board OF the supreme war council at
Versailles would be the natural agency.
The council itself IS composed only Of the
PremIers OF the allied nations and Presi-
dent Wilson. The military and all otner
boards Of the council are advisory only
and their recommendations must be rati-
fed by the council TO become effective
WOULD CONSULT ALL COMMANDERS
Without question Marshal Foch the
supreme commander, and the field corn
rnanders, Generals Petain. HaIg. Pershing
and Diaz would be fully consulted and the
resulting definite terms Of surrender in
all probability would be at once ratified
and laid before Germany as the only price
for respite from attack
TIE general elements Of the terms
ga to all officers. II was pointed out
g.. / was the situation Of today at the
,ront that constituted the supremacy OF
which President Wilson speaks, the
/ situation which must be adequately safe
/ guarded As competent military Judges
! see that situation, the German army is II
| desperate straits, particularly for man.
power. There also is striking evidence oi
swunirfg morale
MUST FIGHT OR SURRENDER
Many officers have feared that by soTa
diplomatic trickery the enemy would
secure enough time TO fall back on the
Rhine, shorten his lines. redistribute las
forces, reconstitutc his stocks OF guns and
munitions and prepare for 4 long de-
/ fensive battle President Wilson reply
! has shown the eEerny, it vas SAID. that
/ this program no longer is possible 10 hIIn.
t lie must fight ii out now or surrender
Should Germany as i nation cry
'1kammerad il must be treated III the
! military view substantially as the IN
i dividual Ge'na soldier who slirrenders
is treated, It must be diaarIned and
guarded
Disarmament ol = nation means de-
mobilization To prevent 4ny possibility
OF rehabilitation, military necessity would
REQUIRE allied occupation of strategic
points of communication 70 insure sup
preston of submarines, occupation u
submarine bases also would be essential.
ALLIES WOULD DEMAND NEr1
Guarding, IN this sense, would mean
absolute control Of the military ap-
proaehes to Germany. Belgium, and the
way TO the Rhine valley. The great forti-
fed zone OF Thionvllle erected by
the Germans as an offensive threat on the
French border at the same time guards
the way to the Rhine on the south. Allied
| occupations of this fortress. officers be-
lieve, would be certain requirement.