New-York tribune., 1918-10-20
Making the War Serve
AVA Democracy's Ends


But "The Springfield Republican" looks
upon the reply as logical successor to events
that had been shaped by the President before.
observing:
"We have true Democrat in the White House
man who misses no opportunity to make this
war serve democracys ends His questions to
the German Chancellor were transparently
framed as to afford him the chance he has
now grasped The moment the German govern
ment unreservedly accepted Mr.. Wilson's terms
of peace it was trapped For on July 4-an
appropriate day, and Mount Vernon was indeed
an appropriate place-the President had stipu-
lated as one of the conditions essential to iuei
and lasting peace:
The obstruction of every arbitrary power
anywhere that can separately, secretly and
Of its single choice disturb the peace of the
world, or if it cannot be presently destroyed.
at the least its reduction to virtual in,po-
tency.
That means Kaisersn, the President now saws
TO the German government, and it is within the
choice OF the German nation to alter it,
"The Atlanta Constitution seemed to find
Germany prepared for unconditional surren
der even before President Wilson had sent
the reply Of October IA, and phrases itself
thus
Viewed from any angle, the German reply to
President Wilson's response to its overture fo-
peace is equivalent to announcement that it
is prepared for peace on the basis OF uncondi
tional surrender
Shot through and into an atmosphere sur
charged with suspicion--as natural with am
thing emanating from that country Of broken
promises and peridious conduct in all of its in-
ternatonal relations for fifteen centuries-the
suddenness of the Hun acceptance of the inevi.
table finds its parallel in the prompt response
of the wise who, when face to face with de-
struction, called from his perch above-'Don't
shoot, MI. Crockett, I'll come down.
Faced with the only alternative of uncondi-
tional surrender later, and perhaps revolution
and general disaster and disintegration in the
mean time, the cornered culprit takes the shor.
cut to peace with the hope of salvaging at least
something from the wreck"
A frank message to the German peopla
that they must get rid Of the Kaiser" is the
Interpretation of "The Portland Eastern
Argus which goes on to say:
In language that cannot be misunderstood
President Wilson in uncertain terms tells the
world that the United States and its co.beIlic
erents VIII consent to cessation of hostilities
Only when the world has been made safe for de-
mocracy; only when the people of the world are
enabled to conduct affairs themselves: only
when present illegal and inhumane practices are
stopped; only when the murder of innocent vic
TINS and neutrals shall have ended; only when
the needless destruction of property and piIaye
shall cease; only when the taking into captivity
Of women and children shall be no more. them
consider the acceptance OF plea for peace from
'heir enemies. Germany itself must redeem
itself"
lie Boston Transcript hopes that this *
the last note from Washington until Germany
throws up its hands. 1t observes:
IL the communication which went from Wash
'Hgson to Berlin yesterday is intended by ou.
government to be interpreted at home and under.
stood abroad 3 a notification to the enemy that
ms unconditional surrender is a condition prcce.
dent 10 any further exchange OF communications
our own people, believe will rejoice so Ia
interpret it and the peoples allied with US so 10
understand It, The man in the street knows
"has unconditional surrender means So does
the soldier on the battlefield and the sailor or
the sea. 1t ought to be as unncce ssarv "a ae6n.
II u Arfnageddon as 1t was at Appomatto:: /. '<
vastly moro necessary not SO modify It's aehn
uon ct Ar1negeddon thsn II was At Appomat.ox