The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1918-09-18

WASHINGTON, Sept. lT-Austria's g
peace offensive Is closed incident
so far as the American government
IS concerned.
Secretary Lansing sent to the
Swedish minister today, the note au-
thor1-ed last night by President VII
son fatty rejecting In two short
sentences tho proposal OF the Austro-
Hungarian government for secret and
non-otading peace discussions. It was
started on the cables at once for
transmission to Vienna by the for
etg1 office. az Stockholm.
Tho presidents notwithstanding
the Notwithstanding orevtty OF the
reply and the pro1nptness with which
1t was deivcred-drcw expressions OF
approval during tho day everywhere
In Washington, at tho capitol, among
officials and throughout the allied
diplomatic corps. Similar responses
from the other nations at war with
Germany are expected TO follow
quickly.
In the senate, Senator Lodge Of
Massachusetts, Republican floor lead
er, and the ranking minority member
OF the foreign relations committee,
voiced the feelings OF congress on the
subject in prepared speech heartily
approving the presidents cou3se as
both wise ard right.
The United States, the senator
said, can talk peace only to a Ger
many beaten and deprived Of power
further to harm n wronged world.
He was followed by Senator McCuu-
Der. OF North Dakota, Republican, and
Se-izsor Thomas OF Colorado, Demo
ccct, with like expressions. On tho
house side Representative Fess OF
Ohio, chairman Of the Republican
congressional committee, spoke in ap-
prevail, declaring that the quick reply
might "jcr upon diplomatic ears, hut
&c justified is = rs5u6c to the double
dealing of our enemy"
tu':;uIvucil v..y..iIuu Of III" Austrian
5Et'v from all in. allies viii u. in ac'
cvrGtnCC 4with the Ecncrai policy whict
has =ultE1cd The entente powers anc
America. III In""tlnS ;hc German peac,
otf.n$tV'*. Prompt action is Regarded
a. n" SurrSt MEANS Of defeating tn,
underlying purpuS.. II tn" Central Pow.
rrS /" Sh:til. the alh.S and dcvcluI
fatal w'2k;i"$S.S hi th.. ENCOURAGEMENT
~ I'll" Expression a.; ;h.. individual aims
and views stated h: th~ President.
x HIS paEtirulaf Intended. II was
explained. that thcr" should he held ir
m,nd TIA" fourteen propositions S;ate
by the ErHs:d"n; in his address To con.
EreS:'. January y. last. Whereas the
Fourth az JUly Sr".ch stated simply
broad general principles that should
eHN"rr any pc;tc" discussion. the ad-
dr'sS I" congress laid down details oi
;hg position and therefore, should be- tho
cp|cTiiln. Git,,r:n',.
Accordingly. before the central pow
erS can hnv" any r"ar. discussion.
with tn" "nt"nt" powers. and .Arnertc,
they mast accept IN" principles OF:
y" secret treaties: freedom of the
seas except to suppress predatory M
ti"nS that fail To respect int"rnaticaa
covenants.
'rh. removal OF trade barriers: rcduc.
ti"u al ariuam"utS adjustment u.
colonial claims with Preferences to th'
wishes "i TN, governed populationS: th'
evacuation ~ Russian territory anc
:Lh1ndonr'lcn; Uf ,''nnu,nlc control there
in: ird"pcnd. n"n IT Eclgiur with in,
Identification: restoration Of AlSace
Lorrain": read GjuStm"ut Of Italy'S from.
tiers: AUTONOMOUS government for tht
different na;ionalIti"S of Aust ria Hum
rtr?: evacuation e; R"utaana. Sachi;
and Nnnt.'ur-r": rriiuTui$hm"utS 81
Turkish cUnt-nl &c t.un-TurkISh pnpula
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