The Covington leader. (Covington, Tenn.) 18??-current, 1918-10-24

ttc tf~~'e Az
Washington, Oct. "A. Germany
has replied to President Wilson with
d note which, though no one is pre-,
pared to say il win lead the president
even t0 continue exchanges on the
subject Of an armistice and peace, Of
least has served almost to bring con-
victi0n here that the people OF Ger
MANY actually are taking the reins
ST government and sincerely desire
peace On any terms the United States
and the allies are willing to give.
There was no official intimation
here tonight of the attitude Of the
president, and probably there witt
be none until the official text Of the
new German communication has been
received.
The president was in conference all
evening with Secretary Lansing, dis
cussing the note as received by wire.
less earlier In the day.
Like the reply to the presidents
inquiries week ago, this note was
sent out from the German wireless
stations and picked up in the allied
countries many hours before the Of
fetal text could come By cable The
official version probably will come
tomorrow throuh the Swiss legation
here.
As received BY wireless, the note
is believed to be slightly garbled N
the important sentences regarding
conditions for the evacuation Of in-
vaded territory and for an arfnlstice,
but nevertheless it is regarded as an
awkward attempt to meet the condi-
tions laid down by President Wilson
for consideration Of an armistice.
And 1t makes the significant dec
laration that the government il Der
lin no longer Il responsible to 9 single
arbitrary influence the kaiser-but
Is supported by an overwhelming ma
iority of the German people.
This delegation is supported By the
statement that constitutional reforms
Ire III progress In accord with the
determination Of the people, under
which no government can take on hold
Office without the confidence Of the
people. The German middle classes
have resolved to have. peace at any
price, and il necessary are prepared
fo get rid Of the emperor, the crown
prince and all military control.
The text Of the German note as
received by wireless, is as follows
IN accepting the proposal for an
evacuation of occupied territories the
German government has started from
xhe assumption that the procedure OF
this evacuation and Of the conditions
Of IN armistice should be left to 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 guar
anfeeing this standard.
nThe German government suggests
to the president that an opportunity
should be brought about for fixing
Ike details. 1t trusts that the pres
ident Of the United States win APP
prove Of no demand that would be AZ
reconciliable with the honor Of the
German people and with opening q
way to d peace of justice.
The German government protests
against the reproach Of illegal and
inhumane actions made against the
German land and sea forces and
thereby against the. German people.
For the covering of retreat destruc-
tions will always be necessary and
they are carried out insofar as is I
permitted BY international law. Ile
German troops are under most strict
instructions to snare private property
and to exercise care fer the p3pula-
ton 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 tho German navy in sinls-
sag ships has ever purposely destroy
al lifehcats with their passen gers.
The GeTman cove sament proposes
with regard to III those charges thatl
the facts be cleared up by neutral
Elm order TO avoid anything chat
might hamper the work Of peace the
German government has caleed or
ders to he.dispatched to al submarine
commanders precluding the torneao-
ine Of passenger ships without how
ever for technical reasons, being able
Us guarantee that these orders viii
reach every single submarine at sea
before its return.
aAs fundamental condition for
peace the president prescribes the
destruction Of every arbitrary power
HAT can separately, secretly, and Of
lis own choice disturb the pence Of
he world TO this tie German gov
einmelit 1eplies:
Hitherto tie representation Of the
-4,,lo ~ f'sa German nrnf.ifa hast.