Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1918-10-25
oERMANTs LAST NOTE.

GERMANYS LAST NOTE.
Looks Very Much Like . Desire to
Quit.
The full text Of Germany's most re-
cent note has been received in the
United States. 1t looks very much
! like acceptance to all the conditions
that have been laid down by the presi-
dent. AS to whether or not the presi-
dent will reply does not yet appear. II
Is generally conceded, however. that he
can very we'll AFFORD to wait further
development. Here Is the note:
In accepting the proposal for an
evacuation OF occupied territories the
German government has started from
the assumption that the procedure Of
the evacuation and OF the conditions OF
an armistice should be left TO the judg-
ment Of the military advisers and that
the actual standard Of power on both
sides In the field has to form the basis
for arrangements safeguarding and
guaranteeing this standard"
The German government suggests
to the president that an opportunity
should be brought about for fixing the
details. II trusts that the president OF
the United States will approve Of no de-
mand which would be irreconcilable
with the honor OF the German people
and with opening q way to a peace Of
justice.
The German government protests
against the reproach Of illegal and in
humane actions made against the Ger
man land and sea forces and thereby
against the German people. For the
covering Of a retreat distractions will
always be necessary and they are car
ried out In 80 far as Is permitted by
international law. The German troops
are under the most strict instructions
to spare private property and to exer-
else care for the population to the best
Of their ability. Where transgressions
occur in spite Of these instructions the
guilty are being punished.
"The German government further
denies that the German navy in sink
ing ships has ever purposely destroyed
lifeboats with their passengers. The
German government proposes with re-
gard to all those charges that the facts
be cleared up by neutral commissions.
"In order to avoid anything that
might hamper the work Of peace. the
German government has caused orders
TO be dispatched to all submarine
commanders precluding the torpedo
ing Of passenger ships without, how
ever, for technical reasons. being able
to guarantee that these orders will
reach every single submarine at sea
before It's return.
"As a fundamental condition for
peace the president prescribes the de-
struction OF evs-y arbitrary power that
can separately. secretly -es -ef It's OWL
single choice disturb the peace of the
world. To this the German govern
ment replies:
Hitherto the representation Of the
people in the German empire has not
been endowed with an influence on the
formation Of the government.
THE constitution did not provide
for q concurrence Of representation OF
the people in decisions OF peace and
war. These conditions have just now
undergone a fundamental change. A
new government has been formed In
complete accordance with the wishes
(principles) Of the representation OF
the people. based on equal. universal.
secret, direct franchise.
THE leaders of the great parties OF
the reichstag are members Of this gov
ernment In the future no govern
ment can take or continue In office
without possessing the confidence OF
the reichstag.
THE responsibility Of the chancellor
Of the empire to the representation OF
the people is being legally developed
and safeguarded. The first act OF the
new government has been to lay be-
fore the reichstag a bill to alter the
constitution Of the empire 30 that the
consent Of the representation OF the
people is required for decisions on war
and peace.
The permanence Of tbe new system
is, however. guaranteed not only by
constitutional safeguards. but also by
the unshakable determination OF the
German people whose vast majority
stands behind these reforms and de-
mands their energetic continuance.
The question Of the presldent-with
whom he and the governments associ-
ated against Germany are dealing-is
therefore answered in clear. une-
quivocal manner by the statement that
the offer Of peace and an armistice has
come from a government which is free
from any arbitrary and irresponsible
influence. is supported by the approval
Of an overwhelming majority Of the
German people.
(Signed) "Solf."