Carroll County democrat. (Huntingdon, Tenn.) 188?-1971, 1918-10-25
TEXT OF WILSON'S REPLY

or the German government dated the
18th instant, which you handed me to-
day, have the honor to request you
to transmit the following answer:
The unqualified acceptance by the
present German government and by a
large majority of the riechstag Of the
terms laid down by the president Of
the United States Of America in his
address to the congress of the United
States on the 9Th of January, 1918, and
In his subsequent addresses, justifies
the president in making a frank and
direct statement Of his decision with
regard to the communications Of the
German government of the Sth and
18th Of October, 1913
ut must be clearly understood that
the process of evacuation and the con
ditions Of an armistice are matters
which must be left to the judgment
and Gdyice of the military advisers of
the government of the United States
and the allied governments, and the
president feels it is his duty to say
that no arrangement can be accepted
by the government of the United
States which does not provide abso-
lutely satisfactory safeguards and
guarantees OF the maintenance Of the
present military supremacy of the
armies Of the United States and the
allies in the field.
Gle feels confident that he can
safely assume that this will also be
the judgment and decision of the allied
governments.
"The president feels that it is also
his duty to add that neither the gov
eminent of the United tSates nor, he
Is quite sure, the governments with
which the government Of the United
States is associated as belligerent
will consent to consider an armistice
80 long as the armed forces of Ger
many continue the illegal and inhu-
name practices which they still per-
sist in.
AkEQCiIiCS WQbA OSaoC 81 OHSNs
"At the very time that the German
government approaches the govern
ment Of the United States with pro-
posals Of peace it's submarines are en-
gagged in sinking passenger ships at
sea, and not the ships alone, but the
very boats in which their passengers
and crews seek to make their way to
safety; and in their present enforced
withdrawal from Flanders and France
the German armies are pursuing a
course of wanton destruction which
has always been regarded as in direct
violation of the rules and practices Of
civilized warfare. Cities and villages,
If not destroyed, are being stripped OF
all they contain, not only but often OF
their very inhabitants.
'"The nations associated against Ger
many cannot he expected to agree to a
cessation of arms while acts Of inhu-
mainly, gpoliation and desolation are
being continued which they justly look
upon with horror and with burning
hearts.
ut is necessary, also, in order that
there may be no possibility Of misun-
derstanding, that the president should
very solemnly call the attention Of the
government of Germany to the Ian
guage and plain intent of one of the
terms of peace which the German gov
eminent has now accepted. 1t is con-
tanned in the address of the president |
delivered at Mount Vernon on the 4th
Of July, last.
ut Is as follows:
"'The destruction Of every arbitrary
power anywhere that can separately,
secretly and Of its single choice dis
turb the peace of the world; or, if 1t
cannot be presently destroyed, at least
It's reduction to virtual impotency.'
"The power which has hitherto con.
trolled the German nation is Of the
sort here described. 1t is within the
choice Of the German nation to alter it.
The presidents words just quoted nat
urally constitute condition precedent
to peace, IL 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 def
niteness and the satisfactory character
of the guarantees which can be given
IN this fundamental matter. 1t is In
that the governments as
ISOLATED against Germany should know
beyond a peradventure with whom
hey are dealing.
THE president will make separate
'eply to the royal and imperial govern
nent of Austria Hungary.
Accept, sir, the renewd assurance
u my high consideration.
(Eigned) ROBERT LANSING.
ODERLIN,
Charge d'Affaires, ad Interim, in
Charge Of German interests in the
United States"