Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1918-10-23
QUESTION IS MILITARY
Evacuation and White
Flag Are for Foch
to Deal With.
NOTE RECEIVED At CAPITAL
Translation Requires Several
Hours and Text Is
Not Delivered.

WASHINGTON, Oct 20 The pre-
vaillnR belief here tonight ls that any
action President Wilson may take as
y result Of the new German note will
await and largely be guided by a
decision OF the supreme war council
In France. d
Shrewd diplomatic observers and
some officials take this view, though
no intimatlon Of his own attitude has
como from the president, because
admittedly the one question immedi-
atcly at issue--is military problem
that OF evacuation OF invaded terri
tory by the German armies as the
only condition upon which the plea
for an srmlStice even will be given
consideration,
The Germans are evacuatinE Bel
GUM and northern France as rap
idly as they can move before the
sweep OF the allied and American
soldiers and still maintain their or
RanizatIon. Since the government at
Berlln says they want to got out
without further fighting, apparently
the issue In ono for the allied war
council to determine--whethe II
shall he suggested through President
Wilson that General Foch he applied
to for terms. or whether without fur
ther diplomatic parley the approach
Of n white flag from the German
lines shall he awaited.
T'cx, Not Yet Delivered.
The official text OF the German
note reached the Swiss legation here
by cable early today, but II was not
delivered at Che state department be-
cause the entire day was spent at
the legation on the tedious task OF
| DECIDING the document and prepar-
Ing an English translation OF the
German text. The translation was
made with the greatest care by Fred
erlck Oederlln. the Swiss charge, be-
cause there are obscure phrases In
the unofficial version received yes
terday by wireless which may be
cleared up by a more accurate rend-
ering OF the German. When the
charges work was done, Secretary
Lansing had left his office, and an
engagement was made for delivery
Of the note at 10 o'clock tomorrow
morning.
This incident IN itHeH pointed 10
later az evidence that exchanges be-
tween London. Paris and Washing
ton have been proceeding slnce tho
arrival Of the wireless Version and
that pending word from the war
council Of what the military Sltu-
alton demands the president r. In no
hurry TO know the exact verbal diff
ference between the official and un-
official texts. There also were re-
ports that any action might wait
upon n diplomatic conference about
TO convene in one Of the allied capi-
tails. hut these found no official con.
firmation.
Cabinct in Long Session.
The usual Tuesday cabinet meeting
was In session all afternoon and IL
was assumed that the German note
occupied Its attention. No member
Of the official family would discuss
whether ne was taken into the presi-
dents confidence.
Those In official diplomatic and
congressional circles, who do not pre-
tend to have heard anything from
the white house on the subject, are
confidently asserting opinions that
the Germans will draw an answer
from the president or that they will
not. One group. recalling that the
presidents reply to the request for
an armistico and peace NEGOTIATIONS
CONTINUED ON PAGE EIGHT.