The Idaho recorder. [volume] (Salmon City, Idaho) 1886-1927, 1918-11-08

Jofity OF the reichstng and for an over
whelming majority of the German peo-
pie. and having received also the ex-
piicit promise of the present German
government that the humane rules Of
civilized warfare will be observed
both on land and sea by the German
armed forces, the president of the
United States feels that he cannot de-
cline TO take up with the governments
with which the government of the
United States Is associated the Ques-
ton OF an armistice.
He deems n his duty TO say again.
however. that the only armlstice he
would feel justified In submitting for
consideration would be one which
should leave the United States and the
powers associated with her In a posi-
ton TO enforce any arrangements that
may be entered Into and to make
renewal Of hostilities ON the part of
Germany impossible.
Must Protect Allies.
THE president has. therefore. trans
United his correspondence with the
present German authorities To the gov
ernments with which the government
OF the United States Is associated as
belligerent. with the suggestion that
II those governments are disposed to
effect peace upon the terms aud prin-
ciples indicated their military advis-
ers aud the military advisers Of the
United States be asked to submit to
the governments associated against
Germany the necessary terms Of such
an armistice as will fully protect the
interests of the peoples involved and
insure TO the associated governments
the unrestricted power to safeguard
and enforce the details of the peace
To which the German government has
| agreed. provided they deem such an
armistice possible from the military
point OF view.
SHOULD such terms OF armistice be
| suggested, their acceptance by Ger
many will afford the best concrete EVIL
dence OF her unequivocal acceptance
| OF the terms and principles Of peace
from which the whole action proceeds.
1.-The president would deem himself
lacking In candor did he not point out
in the frankest possible terms the rea-
son why extraordinary safeguards
must be demanded.
| "Significant and important rs the
constitutional changes seem 10 be
which are spoken Of by the German
foreign secretary In his note OF the
Goth of October. II does not appear
that the principle of government re-
sponsible to the German people has
yet been fully worked out. or that any
guarantees either exist or are In con-
temptation that the alterations OF prin-
ciple and OF practice now partially
agreed upon will be permanent.
Moreover. II does not appear that
the heart Of the present difficulty has
been renched.
German People Without Voice.
1T may be that future wars have
been brought under the control OF the
German people, but the present war
has not been. and 1t Is with the pres
ent war that we are dealing.
ut Is evident that the German PEG.
pie have no means OF commanding the
acQuiescence Of the military author.
tiles of the empire In the popular will :
that the power OF the king OF Prussia
to control the policy OF the empire Ia
, unImpaired that the determining
: initiative still remains with those who
: have hitherto been the masters of Ger.
many.
] Feeling that the whole peace OF the
: world depends now on plain speaking
and straightforward action, the pres.
4 ident deems II his duty TO say. with
out any attempt TO soften what may
seem harsh words, that the nations oi
. the world do not and cannot trust the
!, | word OF those who have hitherto been
the masters OF German policy. and e
point out once more that In concluding
peace and attempting to undo the In
, finite injuries and injustices OF TIL,
war the government OF the Unitet
States cannot deal with any but VERT
able representatives OF the Germai
people who have been assured OF I
genuine constitutional standing ms tn
real rulers Of Germany.
''If II must deal with the milltar.
! masters and the monnrchial autocrat
. OF Germany. or II II Is likely TO hay
to deal with them later In regard 4
the international obligations Of tn
German empire. II must debate no
peace negotiations. but surrender.
Nothing can be gained by leavinl
this essential thing unsaid.
Accept. sir. the renewed assurance
Of my high consideration.
(Signed) "ROBERT LANSING.
Mr.. Frederick Oederlin. Charge d'Af
flares Of Switzerland. nd interim, II
charge Of German interests In tn.
United States"