The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-11-06
The Conquerors' Terms In 1871 and
Again In 1918.

We are Indebted to an esteemed
correspondent, Mr.. EvERrrT STUART,
for the reminder that when General
WIMPFFEN went to Prussian head
quarters in the stress of hopeless de-
feat he pleaded for three hours with
Won MoLTKE for some modification
Of the conditions which had been
fixed after Sedan. To quote ALFRED
RAMBAUD on the conference at the
chateau of Bellevue near Donchery:
This cold and inhexible calculator.
who had reduced war to mathematical
formulas, was incapable Of generosity as
rPf anger. He had decided that the en-
tire army, with arms and baggage,
should be prisoners BISMARCK took
& part in the conference. He made one re.
Prussia will exact as terms Of peace not
only an indemnity of four billion francs,
but Alsace and Lorraine. We must have
q good advanced strategic line
Demand only money then replied
WIMPFFEN. You will be sure Of peace
with US for an indefinite period. II you
take from US Alsace and Lorraine you
VIII only have truce for time; in France,
from old men down to children, all will
learn the use of arms, and millions OF
soldiers will one day demand of you
what you take from u.s."
Last night the State Department
gave out President WILSON'S latest
note to Germany informing the sole
remaining enemy that Marshal FOCH
has been authorized to communicate
the conditions of armistice-condi-
tons not yet made public but mani
festly to be inferred from the pub
lished conditions as to Austria Hun
gary. The same note advises Ger
many of the unanlmity of the Allies
and the American Government con-
corning the application Of the four
teen principles, with two important
and highly significant exceptions, how
ever, namely:
I. The second principle, wherein
Mr.. WILSON attempted to settle In
rernational law, by the enuncIation
of broad generality concerning the
absolute freedom of navigation upon
the seas, In peace and in war, except
when the seas are closed in whole
or part by international action. This
is the. provision which Germany has
hailed with the greatest enthusiasm
AS It seemed TO discredit and rebuke
by individual rather than concerted
declaration, the course adopted by
Great Britain early in the present
war with regard to wide extension
of the zone Of blockade, and likewise
TO contravene our own naval policy
of blockade during the civil war, We
think the President is wise in leaving
the matter to be settled in concert by
the victorious Powers.
2. With regard to reparation anC
compensation, so far as is posi-.
Bile, for the Unreasonable damage
wrought by Germany's ruthlessness
and perfidy In the territories hel
armies or her airships have over
run. Here the Presidents set OF
principles was manifestly inadequate
: He merely declared that Belgium. FOL
example. must be evacuated and re
stored" French territory SHOULD b,
freed and the invaded portions re
stored The phrases are almos
without meaning in their looseness
The Allies position in the Versailles
council has evidently been far NOR
specific. They understand "that com
pepsation will he made by German!
for all damage done TO the civilian
population of the Allies and thel
6N>a