Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-10-22

TWO
sands behind those reforms And de-
Tho question OF tho Presidont-with
ciated against Germany are dealing
is, therefore answered In n clear. un-
equirocal manner by the statement
that the offer of peace and an armi-
site" ha' come from government,
irresponsible In influence. is supported
bY the approval OF an overwhelming
r'a'or''s CT the tslrnsa, pe0 Rs61,r.
There was no intimation Tonight Of
the attitude OF the President. and prob
ably there will be none until the OIL
Gial text OF the new German communi-
cation has been received. The Presi-
dent was in conference all evening
note rs received by wireless late in tho
day. Like tho reply to the Presidents
INQUIRIES week ago. this note was
sent out from the German wireless sta
tions and picked UP in tho allied coun-
tries many hours before the official text
could move by cable. The official YER
sion probably Will come Tomorrow
through the Swiss legation here.
SECTION REGARDING EVACUATION
NAY POSSIBLY BE GARFIELD
As received by wireless. the note is
believed to be slightly garbled in the
: important sentences regarding cond-
lions for the evacuation OF invaded ter
ritory and for an armisticc: but, new
erthsless. it is regarded as an awk
ward attempt to meet the conditions
laid down by President Wilson for con-
siaerat ion OF an armistice. And it
ma ssh, the signitieant deciaration that
responsible to single arbitrary in
huence-the Kaiser-but is supported
German people.
This declaration is supported by the
statement that constitutional reforms
are IN progress in accord with the de-
termination of the people, under which
no government can take or hold office
without the confidence OF the majority
OF Z ReichStaE elected by universal
Secret suffrage. II is accorded more
consideration here because of conf
dental advises received only to-day
classes have resolved to have peace
at any price, and if necessary are pre-
pared TO get rid of the Kaiser. the
crown prince and all military control.
Thus the belief is STRENGTHENED tina,
the present note and those that have
gone before are genuine efforts to
merely because the Germans conduct
ing the exchanges are seeking TO bar
gam for something better than the
unconditional surrender they are pre-
pared 10 give II pushed to the wall
IT is assumed also that they want to
prepare gradually the German public
Tor realization of what has happened
70 their military machine and the war
lords, dreams OF. power. so as TO avoid
complete. collapse Of the government.
PRESIDENT At LIBERTY
TO MAKE NO ANSWER
Diplomatic observers point out that
tue President is at liberty with per-
feet consistency to make no response
1t this time. but 10 await develop
the promises OF the Germans not to
torpedo passenger ships; their implied
promise TO work no more destruction
during their retreat from Belgium and
France than military necessity requires
and finally to await further develop
ment of the political leaven that evil
IDENTIFY is working toward the complete
overthrow of military and autocratic
power In the empire.
No one believes that an Immediate
cessation of hostilities is in sight. The
opinion most generally held is that IL
President Wilson decides To make 4
reply, and II the entente governments
time would be TO sanction preliminary
arrangements 10 be dictated by General
Foch in the field for the Withdrawal
of the Germans without further fight
ing. Such arrangements. of course
would be contingent upon guarantees
of continued supremacy. OF the victori-
GUS allied armies, and consequently
virtually would mean surrender for the
Germans
EVACUATION MUST
COME BEFORE ARMISTICE
Tho official view here so far has
been that evacuation OF invaded ter
ritory must be completed before there
can be an arnistice. Should Pres dent
Wilson. after consultation with the al.
driving the Germans TO and across
their own borders would proceed and
the opportunity for fixing details,
which the new note suggests be
brought about" would come only
through 4 request from the German
lanes under white nag Oh the battle
Held.
Little importance Is attached 10 the
protests and denials In the note re
EardinS German brutality AND ruth
less destruction OF property. The i'm
portant thing is whether atrocities
ROW stop AS to All investigai on by
n neutral commission. rs suggested in
ago that such investigation could come
/ 10 nothing, eXcept in connection with
arrangements for iina! peace.
Regarding the German denial Of ua-
necessary destruction OF property by
the retiring armies. military experts
say, that undoubtediy such armies are
work terrible havoc IN evacuated ter
riiory But theS. is dae prime con-
dition to be nei--,-.M OF this mus, b.
done with the sole purpose OF damag-
ing and re,arding the pursuing army.
Bridges may he destroyed. stores OF
FOOD burned and even buildings which
might shelter cnem: troops. Eut II
is no; permitted 20 poison wells: !"
destroy fruit trees Or TO loot and de-
strcy private property which would &c
cf NO use - either army. or. in fact
- comm, any ct the acts OF wamton
deyiItry which arc charged up against
tAs German armies.
BRITISH GOVERNMENT POINTS
TO INSTANCES OF Hun BARHARiTI
LONDON. October .l.-The British
government; IL. statement issued to-
f.igl-- regarding the denial in the Ger
:naI. note Q. President W!lsoi.'E charges
tHat German Submarines are del!ncr-
i-tely smelling !lfchoei- containing sur
r!vo-s ~ .orgedoed vessels, points 10
4s . 4 .
fa@ French steamship LynGiaue. In
bcth Eases, tn- statement sa:s, The
Submarines rsrnmed .lfsb-a,s ,.!d RATS
On which survivors tired - save them
k-!yeG.
MA1ISILIAS HARDEN