Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1918-09-17
cBy Morning Journal Special Leased Wire,

opStHil LtAseu NLFe)
gone on record formally as accepting
the conditions of peace laid down by
President Wilson as their own.
Secrecy Feature Objectionable.
While no reference to it was made
IN the reply which the United States
government is making to Austria, 1t is
known that one of the most objection
able features of Baron Burian's propo-
s'tion was the secrecy suggested for
the binding" conferences II was
realized by officials here that the pur-
pose was to barter away the rights OF
various nationalities in star-chamber
proceedings so that victim would have
no knowledge of their fate until II was
beyond recall. This system OF BAR
ter was particularly denounced by
President Wilson in one OF his
speeches
That the German people themselves
were to be kept in the dark by the
military masters and prevented from
having any voice In the peace which
was to be imposed upon them, was
regarded as an assured fact, There
has been some apprehension in admin
istration circles Of combination OF
great financial interests, that know
no nationality, and fear the destruc-
tion of all wealth and business by the
spread of holsheWk ideas, which
might in some way be behind this
movement to bring about a peace and
terminate the war before it had been
fought to a clear decision There is
no such apprehension on the part of
the administration Of cataclysm
which will bring down all civilized in
stitutions, and instead the general
staff has given every assurance that
Y n. IA.
early and complete victory which wilt
involve the acceptance t" the central
powers OF tho only possible terms OF
peace--namely. those laid down by
President Wilson.
Presidents Terms.
These terms referred to in the reply
dictated today to the Austrian note,
We're clearly set out in President Will
1on's Fourth OF July speech at Mount
Vernon, as follows:
1.-THE destruction of every ar
bitrary power anywhere that can sep
arately, secretely and of its single
choice disturb the peace of the world;
or, if II cannot be presently destroyed,
at least it's reduction to virtual im-
potence
"2-The settlement of every ques-
3
eign, of economic arrangement of poll
itical relationship, upon the basis OF
the free acceptance of that settlement
by the people immediately concerned
and not upon the basis of the material
interest or advantage OF any other ma
ton or people which may desire
different settlement for the sake Of its
own exterior influences or mastery
"3-The consent OF all nations to
governed in their conduct toward
each other by the same principles OF
honor and of respect for the common
law OF civilized society that govern the
individual citizens of all modern
states In their relations with one an
other, to the end that all promises
and covenants may be sacredly OBJ
served, no private plots or conspiracy
hatched no selfish injuries wrought
with impunity and a mutual trust
established upon the handsome foun-
datiOn OF a mutual respect for right.
"4-The ablishment of an organ
ization of peace which shall make 1t
certain that the combined power OF
free nations will check every invas-
ion of right and serve to make peace
and Justice the more secure by at-
fording definite tribunal of opinion
to which all must submit ana by
which every international re-adJust-
ment that cannot be amicably agreed
upon by the peoples directly concerned
shall be sanctioned"
There is some speculation In off
rial circles as to what will be the
next step in what Is recognized as the
/ great German peace offensive. Gener-
allv il Is believed that the German
and Austrian military leaders will
! point to the American reply as an
evidence that they have done every
/ thing possible to bring about peace
/ and thus try to strengthen their peo-
| pie for another winter campaign But
\ another view is that owing to the in
1 tolerable conditions in Austria Hun
/ gary there is more than a possibility
/ of break up Of the quadruple all
4 lance that Austria having gone
! through the form OF making peace
| prorosal which was promptly reject
ed. has thus cleared the way for her
next steu-an unconditional surrend-
or on the terms laid down BY Presi.
dent Wilson.