The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-10-17
ALL TERMS MET,
CAPITAL HEARS
Continued from First Page.

This report emanating from Rotterdam
was later denied, but there appeared to
be some basis for other reports TO the
effect that Germany had answered the
President with some kind OF an accept
ance.
Such a move would be accounted for
by either OF two reasons. Either Ger
many's situation rs so desperate that
unconditional surrender must be ac-
cepted at once or else the German diplo-
mats think they see a chance for keep
ing the discussion going little longer
before making their purpose plain.
There has been little expectation here
that Germany would reply at Mi for the
present to tha-Presidents ultimatum
and 30 far as this Government was con-
cerned this was designed to bring the
whole peace discussion to ar abrupt end.
Eradication OF the peace idea from
the minds OF the American people ap-
pears to be the purpose OF the President
and those conducting the war in order
that the country's entire energy can be
put into the struggle.
There IL much in connection with these
reports which smacks OF deliberate prop
uganda. II is noted here that the lib
eral newspapers, and particularly the
newspapers of Socialistic tendencies in
Germany. which have been regarded as
rejecting the anti-imperialistic views OF
plain people. denounce the President
note and practically demand that Ger
many reply by continuing the war and
refusing to consider peace from the
standpoint OF the American coinmunica-
ton.
On the other hand the newspapers re-
fiecting the Imperial Governments views
are very conciliatory. and pretend to
regard the Presidents reply as really
favorable to the extension OF debate.
The Norddeutsche Auoemsins Zeituao.
official spokesman for the Imperial Ger
man Government, says: president Will
sons reply has partly carried the dis
cuss!on further and partly extended II.
"A fresh counter utterance by the Ger
man Government therefore Ii necessary
to the bringing about Of an armistice
and the Inauguration of peace negotia-
lions are not Immediately attainable.'
Shows Confidence in Wilson.
Diplomats here particularly note the
reference to President Wilson made by
Count Burian. the Austro-H Hungarian
Foreign Minister. speaking to the For
eigr Affairs Committee of the Hun
Rarian delegation. IT would only say"
he said. that our confidence in Presi-
dent Wilson'S word Is SO Arm that we
categorically reject suppositions at
tributing to his procedure motives, tacu-
cal reasons or intentions malevolent to-
ward the monarchy"
The imperial spokesman of Germany
and Austria are apparently making a
deliberate attempt to claim President
Wilson as the champion OF their cause
while at the same time maintaining their
same distrust and aversion for the En-
tente Allies.
The Imperial German Government in
accepting the Presidents terms may be
simply putting their own construction
on the general phrases which the PresI-
dent resorted to in this communication.
Thus the Germans may take the stand
that the President as a prerequisite to
peace demands three things. namely.
cessation of inhuman practices as a
preliminary to an armistice, readiness 20
submit the 'armistice terms 10 the mill
tary commanders on the field and the
elimination OF any arbitrary power
threa tening the peace OF the world.
The German Government can, Of
course. claim TO accept the first PROPOSE
ton without embarrassment, and further
more add that inhumane practices would
never be tolerate by the Imperial Ger
man Government In the past Germany
has frequently taken this line, never
falling to ascribe to Great Britain's
blockade campaign the real inhumane
action OF the war because they said il
starved German women and children. &c
On the question OF an armistice Ger
many 10 ready to make this a military
matter, counting probably on getting the
peace campaign we'll under way before
the terms OF the armistice were definitely
set. An armistice which Germany found
advantageous or not too vitally disad-
| vantageous would be accepted any way.
| II is believed.
On the question OF whether or not