Courier Democrat., 1918-10-17
President Calls Secretaries Ian.
sing and Baker to White House
for Conference.
NO OPINION EXPRESSED
London Express Asserts That British.
French and Italian Governments
Have Already Agreed on
Their Articles.

Washington, Oct 15.-Germanys
reply to President Wilson has reached
the Swiss legation in official form by
cable. 1t was in German text, trans
lation of which was identical with that
received by wireless.
Instead of taking the note directly
to the White House, as he did Prince
Maximilians plea, Frederick Oederlin,
Swiss charge, communicated with the
state department. He was asked to
present it to Secretary Lansing.
In the meantime President Wilson
had called Secretaries Lansing and
Baker to the White House for con-
ference. The president and Mr.. Ian
sing had been considering the German
communication since the unofficial
text reached them and Secretary Bak-
er, just back from France was pre-
pared to give first hand information
about the situation at the battle front
which has brought about the German
eagerness for peace.
Proof of Germany's good faith
through guarantees probably will be
demanded by President Wilson in an
swer to Germany's plea for an armis-
tice. Such guarantees probably will
take the form of Allied occupation of
some German territory, including bor-
der Notifications and bridgeheads
across the Rhine.
Good Faith Doubted.
Because of the proven duplicity Of
| the German government, there are
| doubts as to the good faith of the
enemy now.
No doubt is expressed by officials
that an ar1nistice if granted would be
arranged entirely by Generals Foch,
Haig, Diaz, Allenby, Pershing and the
Greek and Serbian staffs and would
be conducted in such manner as to
| insure the Allies against any Teuton
trick
The president will have before him
the official text. If his reply is a
further inquiry, it probably will go
forward immediately If it is an ac-
ceptance or qualified rejection, it is
likely he will address congress simul-
taneously with dispatch of the note.
President Wilson is expected to first
decide if Foreign Secretary Soils re-
ply to the inquiries addressed to Chan
cellor Macmillan warrants him in pre-
senting Germany's original proposal to
the Entente Allies.
Bound to Nothing.
1t should be borne in mind that the
presidents inquiry merely was move
I'D interim, in which he proposed moth
ing, bound himself to nothing, and
merely asked some questions, which,
he declared, required an answer be.
fore he could go further
If he puts the proposition before
The Entente, it undoubtedly will draw
quick reply.
| Dispatches from London, quoting
the London Express as announcing
that the British. French and Italian
governments had reached an unani
NOUS decision for a line of common
action, were regarded as being deeply
significant.
j Lacking official guidance on which
to base prediction, observers are
forced to record indications.
The indications are that there wHl
be no armistice, and that if the En-.
lente Allies were disposed to agree to
one, they probably would demand as
guarantees Of good faith that such
places as Metz, Strassburg, Trieste
Ind possibly Essen be placed in the
hands OF Entente forces to guarantee
tulflment of Germany's word.