Gilpin observer., 1918-10-17
WILSON'S REPLY
TOG{RMANPLEA
FOR ARMISTICE
Western Newspaper Union New. Service.

washington, Oct. l6.-Ihe text OF
President Wilson's reply to Germany.
delivered to the charge of the Swiss
legation. follows:
In reply to tie communication
OF tho German government dated t.
18th inst. which you handed me today.
! nave the honor to request you to
tr:nSmit the following answer:
The unqualified acceptance by the
present German government anI h
large majority Of the reichstag Of the
terms laid down by the President Of
the United States Of America In his ad-
dress to the Congress Of the United
States on Jan. 8. 1918. and in his sub
e,qaent addresses ja:ufies the Presi-
dent in making frank and direct
statement Of his decision with regard
to the communications Of the German
government Of Oct 8 and IL. 1918.
1T must be clearly understood that
the process Of evacuation and the
conditions OF an armistice are matters
which must be left to the judgment
the government of the United States
and the allied governments, and the
President feels II his duty to say that
no arrangement can be accepted by
the government Of the United ST.
which does not provide absolutely sat
tsfactory safeguards and guarantee
Of the maintenance OF the present mil
itary supremacy OF the armies OF
United States and the allies N the
field.
HE feels confident that he can safe
" assume that this viii also be the
judgment and decision Of the allied
governments.
"The President feels that It is also
hts duty to add that neither the gov
ssnnent Of the United States. nor. he
b quite sure, the governments with
which the government q the United
States Is associated a. . belligeFent
will consent to consider an armistice
20 long AZ the armed ferces Of Ger
many continue the illegal and inhu-
maAs practices which hey stin persist
n.
AT the WY tine that the German
government approaches the govern
ment Il the United States with propos-
als Of peace its submarines are en-
gagged In sinking passenger ships 1t go
and not the ships alone. but The very
beats In which their passengers and
crews ssok to make their way 70 sale
"; aad In their present enforced With
aFawL from Flanders and France The
German armies are pursuing . eoarso
oe wanton destruction which has al
VAN been regarded - In direct vSo-
latien OF the rules aad practices Of
ctvilixed warfare. Cities and villages,
II not destroyed. are being stripped Of
all they contain not only. but often ef
their very Inhabitants. The nations
associatsA against Germany cannot b
expected 70 agree to cessation Of
arms while acts Of inhumanity. spolia-
tion and desolation are being contiH
led which they Justly look upon with
horror and with burning hearts.
1T h necessary. also. in order thak
there may be no possibility Of missn-
derstaading. that the President should
very solemnly call the attention OF the
government Of Germany to the lam
guage and plain intent Of one Of the
terms Of peace which the German gov
ernment has now accepted. 1t is cor
tained In the address OF the President
delivered at Mount Vernon On tbs
Fourth Of July last.
1T y Is follows: The destruction
OF every arbitrary power anywhere
that can separately. secretly and OF It's
nj 81 oh Atst ka NJ 10
world; or. II It cannot be presently de-
stroyed. at least It's reduction to VIZ
tual impotency'
THE power which has hitherto con-
trolled the German nation Is of the
sort here described. II ia within the
choice Of the German nation to alter
1t. The Presidents words just quoted
naturally constitute condition prece.
dent to peace. II peace is to come BY
the action Of the German people them
selves. The President feels bound to
say that the whole process Of peace
will. In his judgment. depend upon the
dsfiniteness and the satisfactory char.
acter Of the guarantees which can b
given in this fundamental matter. II
10 indispensable that the governments
associated against Germany should
know beyond peradventure with
whom they are dealing.
The President will make q separate
reply to the royal and imperial gov.
eminent Of Austria.lIungary.
Accept. sir. the renewed assur-
ances Of my high consideration.
(Signed.) ROBERT LANSING
More Deaths from "Fiu" In Denver.
Denver, Oct. Is. Twenty-seven
deaths, making total OF seventy