The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1918-10-15

washington, Ocl. 10 OHSOhullioh-
al surrender by Germany is the inter
probation put on President Wilson's
answer to the German peace plea by
American and alned officials here.
Only by absolute surrender they
say, can the enemy now prevent ter
minating evidence OF his defeat-the
invasion of Germany. There is no
doubt among officers that sooner or
later the enemy will be compelled to
accept these uncompromising terms
Washington, Oct. 14.-lhe text OF the
Presidents answer follows:
Sir: In reply to the communication
of the German government, dated the
18th inst, which you handed me to-
day, have the honor to request you
TO transmit the following answer.
The unqualified acceptance by the
present German government and by
large majority cf the reichstag of the
terms laid down by the 'RrSsident ot
the United States of America in his
address to the Congress Of the United
States on the Sth OF January, 1918,
and in his subsequent addresses. JUS
titles the President'in making a frank
and direct statement Of his decision
with regard to the communications Of
the German government OF the Sth
and 18th OF October, 1918
II must be clearly understood that
the process OF evacuation and the
conditions OF an amistice are matters
which must be left to the Judgment
and advice of the military advisors
of the government of the United and
the allied governments, and the Presi-
dent feels II his duty TO say that no
arrangement can be accepted by the
government OF the United States
which does not provide absolutely sat.
isfactory safeguards and guarantees
OF the maintenance OF the present
military supremacy of the armies Of
the United States and the allies in the
field
He feels confident that he can safe.
ly assume that nothing but this viii
also be the judgment and decision of
the allied governments.
The President feels that it is also
his duty to add that neither the gov
ernment of the United States nor. he
is quite sure, the governments with
which the government of the United
States is associated as a belligerent.
will consent to consider an armistice
so long as the armed forces OF Ger
many continue the Illegal and in.
humane practices which they still per
slst in.
At the very time that the German
government approaches the govern
ment of the United States with pro
posals of peace its submarines are en-
gagged in sinking passenger ships at
sea. and not the ships a'one. but the
very boats in which their passengers
and crews seek TO make their way tC
safety; and in their present enforced
withdrawal from Flanders and France
the German armies are pursuing q
course OF wanton destruction which
has always been regarded as in direcl
violation Of the rules and practices ol
civilized warfare. Cities and villages
u not destroyed, are being stripped o
all they contain not only but often o
their very inhabitants.
The nations against Germany can
not be expected to agree to a cessat
ion of arms while acts OF inhumanity
spoliatlon and desolatlon are beinl
continued. which they justly look up
on with horror and with burnlnl
hearts.
II Is necessary, also. In order tha
there may be no possibility of mlsun
dcrstanding that the President. snoul,
very solemnly call the attention o
the government OF Germany to tn
language and plain intent OF one O
the terms Of peace which the German
government has now accepted u I
contained in the address Of the Pres
dent delivered at Mount Vernon oI
the Fourth of July last.
"The destruction OF every arbitrar
power anywhere that can separated,
secretly and OF It's single choice dil
turb the peace of the world: or. II
cannot be presently destroyed. q
least It's reduction to virtual In
potenc5"
The power which has hitherto col
trolled the German nation is Of ih
sort here described II ie within IN
choice of the German nation 10 altC