South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-10-24

into and 20 make a renewa. or hos
tilities on the part OF Germany i'm
possible. The president has. there
fore, transmitted his correspondence
with the present German authorities
20 the governments with which the
government OF the United States is
associated as a belligerent. with the
suggestion that, II those governments
are disposed 10 effect peace upon the
terms and principles indicated. their
military advisers and the military
advisers OF the United States De ask
ed 10 submit 70 the governments as
ISOLATED against Germany the neces-
sary terms OF such an armistice as
will fully protect the interests OF the
peoples involved and ensure 20 the
associated governments the unre-
striCted power TO safeguard and en-
force the details OF the peace TO
which the German government has
agreed. provided they deem such an
armistice possible from the military
point OF view Should such terms OF
armistice be suggested their accept
ance by Germany will afford the
+ best concrete evidence OF her un-
equivocal acceptance OF the terms
I and principles OF peace from which
/ the whole action proceeds.
j Must Demand Safeguards.
The president would deem him
| self lacking in candor did he not
point out in the frankest possible
. terms why extraordinary safeguards
must be demanded. Significant and
7 Important as the constitutional
( changes seem TO be which ale
$40 ken Of by the German foreign
secretary In his note Of the goth Of
/ October. IL does not appear that the
: principle OF a government respOns-
ible to the German people has yet
been fully worked out or that any
\ guarantees either exist or are in con-
temptation that the alterations of
principle and OF practice now par
italy agreed upon will be perma-
nent. Moreover, il does not appear
that the heart Of the present diff
Guilty has been reached 1t may be
that future wars have been brought
under the control Of the German
people but the present war has not
been; and it is with the present war
that We are dealing.
German People No Authority.
Il is evident that the German
people have no means Of command
ing the acquiescence Of the military
authorities Of the empire in the pop
uiar will; that the power OF the
king OF Prussia 10 control the policy
Of the empire is unimpaired: that
the determining initiative still re-
mains with those who have hitherto
been the masters of Germany. Feel
ing that the whole peace of the
world depends now on plain speak
ing and straightforward action. the
president deems il his duty TO say
without any attempt TO soften what
may seem harsh words. that the ma
tious OF the world do not and cannot
trust the word of those who have
hitherto been the masters Of Ger
man policy, and to- point out once
more that in concluding peace end
attempting TO undo the infinite m
juries and injustices Of this war, the
government OF the United States can
not deal with any but veritable rep
resentatives OF the German people
who have been assured of a genuine
constitutional standing as the rea
rulers OF Germany.
Surrender Only Alternative.
If 1t must deal with the militar!
masters and the monarchical auto
Gratis of Germany now, or if II Il
likely TO have to deal with then
later, I'm regard to the internationa
obligations of the German empire
must demand, not peace negOua
, tons, but surrender. Nothing can b,
gained by leaving this essentia
thing unsaid.
Accept, sir. the renewed assur
ences OF my high consideration.
(signed) ROBERT LANSING.
Mr. Frederick Oederlin.
Charge d'anaires OF Switzer
land. ad interim, in charge o
German interests in the United
States"