Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-10-15
PRESS COMMENT ON
PRESIDENTS ANSWER

| II Is a dennlte indictment OF the pres
ent German government, charging them
with illegality and inhumanity, guilty
of crimes heretofore unbelievable, and
an expression Of determination to utter
ly crush so foul thing as autocracy
has proven itself to be, declaration
that the world shall be made safe, no
matter what sacrifice may be necessary
to accomplish this end
Portland (Me) Press-The Presidents
note measures up to the demands and
expectations of the American people and
Will meet their endorsement and ap-
prevail 1t ends discussion. If Germany
wants peace now it knows how it may
obtain it and may proceed to act The
Presidents previous note was open to
! doubtful Interpretation and for thu, rea-
son was disappointment and met with
no more than perfunctory approval both
at home and abroad. No such criticism
can be offered of his last"
The Lowell (Mass) Courier Citizen
will say tomorrow: The President has
answered as properly as he has prompt
~. Inc instant denial of Germany's
request is justified by Germany's per-
slstent barbarity in the interim. The
persistence o. absolute imperial power
makes lie of her claim to have a com.
plete list of the Presidents terms. The
war must go on unless Germany by
downright surrender gives those "abso-
iu'eiy satisfactory guarantees of militia
~ supremacy of which the President
speaks. Other guarantee than surren
n der there is none
Boston Herald:-The reply of the
PRESIDENT is made remarkable by it's
very inconclusiveness. The unani-
nous out cry of his countrymen
FORCES him to reassure them Of the
military situation. But he fails to
make the utmost Of his opportunity.
So far as the answer goes, we are
back again in the right direction.
But 1t is not the utterance Of a man
OF action. There may be still other
notes before US. The country still
waits to hear the clarion call which
the gravity of the hour and the great
ness of the issue demand.
Boston Post:-President Wilson
makes a notably and significantly
prompt and effective reply. There is
no escaping the iron logic Of his
words. 1t is recognized as a call for
unconditional surrender.
New York Tribune: Why. in our
growing correspondence with Ger
many, is the word surrender tabooed &?
Why is it that we cannot talk as we
fight? We are negotiating with
Germany towards an armistice-
government know the heart Of the
American people and how it sinks as
each further expectation is so vague
ly disappointed?
New York World The President
at one stroke has swept away this
whole German structure Of a paper
peace without guarantees.
Louisville Courier nal:-Again
the President has spoken with the
voice Of America and for the civil
lied nations OF the earth. The an
swer of the President is an ultmatum
to defeated power. It's terms are
clear that only two courses lie open
to the Observation-Disclosures which
means present surrender, or resist
ence, which means ultimate destruc-
ton.
Springfield. Mass, Republican,
The salient, the supreme feature Of
the Presidents reply is the blow now
openly and directly struck at Kaiser
ism.
New York Times-An American
pen has forever stilled the rafting
of that terrible German sabre. This
swash- buckling emperor has brought
down upon himself the wrath Of
certain other instruments of the Lord
who have amply prepared themselves
to make his remaining way short
and it's end exemplary. The Presi-
dent has spoken a word of command,
not counsel.
Springfield (Mass.) Union: The Presi-
dents reply to the German government,
lacks two words that have an important
place in American history and are at
present very much in the vocabulary CT
the American people. The absence of
these two words means, in all proba-
bility, further correspondence, which
will be ended ONLY when the President
bluntly and cu-tly says: Our terms are
unconditional surrender"
ooStoH hlope. II IS bOWn WITH III:
Kaiser or ION t. Berlin
Chicago Tribune: The Presidents re-
Spouse to the German proposals rises
inevitably from the logic of the 1o.,-
worthy communications and addresses
which have marked our controversy
with the imperial German government.
1t expresses with force and unequivo-
cally the connection and purpose of the
American people in this war and will re-
ceive their unhesitating and undivided
and enthusiastic approval.
ST. Louis Globe Democrat: The Pres
ident has not misinter,reted the spirit
of the nation in his reply.
Salt Lake Cit Tribune The President
has once more done the right thing at
the right time.
New York Herald: II the German mil
itary party thinks to win by camoufiage
they are hopelessly mistaken. Mr. Will
sons note will find thunderous applause
wherever it will become known.
Providence Journal: The American
people will heartily approve the decla-
ration Of the President in his message
of yesterday 20 Germany.
Philadelphia Press The President has
seen a new light.
l
Wife Billy Sunday III
Providence, r. l., Oct. H.-Rev. Billy