The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1918-10-14
President Wilson Summons
Baker andaLansing to
~ White House
PROMPT REPLY
rs EXPECTED
Colonel House and Secre-
tary Daniels Later Join
the Conference
Washington.

Washington, Oct 14.-Germanys
reply to President Wilson reached the
Swiss legation in official form by ca
bic this morning. 1t was in German
text, q translation Of which was iden-
teal with that received by wireless
Saturday night.
Instead of taking the note directly
to the White House as he did, Prince
Maximilian's plea, Frederick Oeder-
lin, Swiss charge, communicated with
the state department. He was asked
to present 1t to Secretary Lansing at
11:15 o'clock.
In the meantime President Wilson
had called SECRETARIES Lansing and
Baker to the White house for a con-
ference. The President and Mr.. Lam
sing had been considering the Ger
man communication since Saturday
night when the unofficial text reach
ed them, and Secretary Baker, just
back from France, was prepared to
give first hand information about the
situation at the battlefront, which has
brought about the German eagerness
for peace.
+ Colonel House joined In the con-
ference.
E Will Act Quickly. n..
The only official intimation that
has come regarding the probable
course of the president is that he is
sure to act quickly and positively.
Everywhere in Washington, however,
the confident belief prevailed that
whatever might be the form of that
action it would not contemplate a
cessation of l1ostilities nor negotia-
tions for peace with the German gov
ernment except upon conditions
amounting to unconditional surren-
der. "
Last night the government asked
the American people to suspend Judg-
ment on the German note until the
President could consider It. If the
opinion of the man in the street is
reflected by editorial comment com
ing from every corner Of the coun-
try, the people already have made up
their minds that there should be no
temporizing with an enemy whose
word is worth only what the victort-
Gus allied armies make it.
It is assumed that since Saturday
night at least informal exchanges
have taken place between Washington
and the capitals Of the co-belliger-
ents. Informed of the views Of the
allied premiers, the President may
determine before the day is over whe-
ther the reply to the German request
that he propose an ar7nistice and
peace negotiations shall be a refusal
to make any such proposal at the
instance of the present German gov
ernment or renewed statement or
the conditions under which peace
must be restored.
II was suggested that the President
might ask for joint session of the
house and senate to communicate ms
decision and the reasons for it to con-
gress, the country and the world.
Daniels Joins Conference.
Secretary Daniels joined the White
House conference. The President and
his advisers were together for nearly
fvro hours then the cabinet officers
and Colonel House walked over to the
state. war and navy building, leaving
the President alone in his study where
nearly all of his notes and utterances
have been drafted.
President Wilson is expected to
first decide If Foreign Secretary
Solfs reply to the inquiries address
sed to Chancellor Macmillan war
rants him in presenting Germany 9
original proposal to the Entente Al
lies IT should be borne in mind,
that the Presidents inquiry merely
was move ad interim, in which
he proposed nothing, bound himself
Ia nothing, and merely asked some
questions, which he declared, re-
aufred an answer before he could
will Draw Quick Reply.
If he puts the proposition before
the entente it undoubtedly will draw
a quick reply. Dispatches last night
from London quoting The London
Expresg as announcing that the
British, French and Italian govern
ments had reached an unanimous de-.
cigion for line of common action,
were regarded as being deeply sig
nificent
Lacking official guidance on which
to base a prediction. observers are
forced TO record indications. The
indications are that there will be
no arrnistice, and that If the En-
fente Allies were disposed to agree
tot one they probably would demand
as guarantees Of good faith that
such places as Metz, Strassburg
Trieste and possibly Essen be plac-
ed in the hands of entente forces
fo guarantee funillment of Ger
many's words.
If Germany expects that by agree
frsoptfuYed on mage Il