The sun., 1918-10-13

, Naturally the impression Is pur-
posely created that the war Is over
and that Germany has bowed to
terms, making peace sure. This i'm
preston Is created before President
Wilson even has a chance of know
ing what the Imperial German Gov
eminent has said in reply to his In
quiries. Apparently the Imperial Ger
man Government deliberately seeks
30 arouse the peoples In enemy coun-
tries to n false belief that peace Is
here so that the President Is placed
now in the position Of following the
tide of this adroitly created peace
sentiment or seemingly following an
illogical course In going counter to
the current
The view which President Wilson
will take and which Entente leaders
will take Of the German method Of
making the reply public may be one
of the interesting developments of
the immediate future.
Move Arouses Much Curiosity.
what will the President do IL the
onicial German text conforms abso-
lutely to the unofficial version?"
This Is a question on many lips here
even before there Is full realization Of
the effect the German move will have
on the war situation.
First and foremost officials point out
that 1t is necessary to regard the sit
uation with strict observance of condi-
lions precipitated by the Presidents
note of inquiry which brought the Ger
man answer. President Wilson has
not yet committed himself 70 any
thing. He merely asked the Imperial
German Chancellor three questions:
do you accept the peace terms laid
down by me and merely wish to dis
cuss the practical details Of their APP
piication? Are you ready to evacuate
invaded territory preliminary to an
armistice? Do you speak merely for
the German authorities which have
been waging this war;"
The German Government has replied
Il accept the peace terms laid down by
you and merely want to discuss their
practical application. I am ready &c
evacuate invaded territory. I do not
merely speak for the German authori-
ties. but for the German people"
The President, II may be assumed, In
the near future, win get these answers
in official form. He has asked ques
lions without giving any pledge as tc
what he would do when he got the an
swers He informed Germany that hi
would not think Of suggesting an arms
tice to the Entente Allies while Germany
occupied invaded territory. but he die
not promise that he would make tn,
suggestion no matter what the German
reply might be.
The obvious Implication from the Pres
ident's note was that he would consider
taking the steps suggested by Germany
II the replies were satisfactory and II
he were convinced Of Germany's Gin
certify. This latter point Is all impor'
tant The President Is on record a:
stating that he would not barter or com
promise with the German autocrats ant
that he did not regard their promise.
as worthy Of the slightest trust.
Now comes a definite proposal in thu
form of a promise by these same Ger
man imperial autocrats 1t may b.
sincere OF II may be a scrap OF paper
It undoubtedly would be made a scral
OF paper tomorrow IL the Germans coult
bring about some unexpected militar,
coup to change the war situation. 1
would doubtless be torn UP and dire
garded before negotiations were well OF
their way IL 1t suited Germany's inter
ests to do so.
The President 10 TO be the Judge o.
whether he accepts the word of the I'm
perial Government or disdains It. Their,
is nothing to show that he will place
faith in 1t now any more than he die
in the past. 30 that 1t rs idle to attemp
TO gauge the effect of the German repl,
on the war situation until he Presiden
makes his attitude known.
The German reply places before Presi
dent Wilson one Of the most momentum
and difficult problems which any states
man has ever been called on TO. decide
The President has three courses open L
follow. One II to accept the German
reply az a bona fide. sincere plea To-
peace and suggest to the Entente Aflie
that they take up the question Of arTang
ing an evacuation preparatory to al
armistice.
Another Is TO begin q series Of nego
tiatiOns with the German Government a
to the practical guarantees they shout,
give of their sincerity and good faith
A third Is to reject the German plea Of
not SPEAK tho same language as tn
German imperial autocrats and conse
quently cannot discuss matters furthe
excepting via Marshal Foch on the bat
tiefield.
There may be trickery in the GERMAN
reply. but even so the Indications ar
that the Imperial German Government
has now reached a stage where 1t reall
wants peace and Is ready TO mike sac
rifces to stop the war before the It'd
engulfs the Prussian war machine an
really leaves Germany impotent as
military power.
Reasons for Wanting to Quit.
There are many reasons, it is ex
pisined. why Germany should desire [
stop the war now For the four year
her armies have preyed on their vic
inns AL the lighting has been In IN
errit1fy OF Germanys enemies an
II