The Robesonian., 1918-10-10
LoNBER1oN NORTH CAROLINA THURSDAY. OCTOBER 10 1918
DOOR TO PEACE OPEN.


Cessation of Arms Until Germans
Get Off of Invaded Soil.
President Wilson has met Ger
many's peace note with a move which
Will, at one stroke, develop whether
her proposal is sincere or merely al
pretenslon, and if pretension it be,
fully Justify for all time before the
world the prolonging of the war with
force to the utmost, force without
stint or limit. At the same time the
PRESIDENT has left wide open the door
to peace.
Declining to propose an armistice
while the armies of the Central Pow
ers remain on invaded soil, the Presi-
dent today called on the German chan
essary preliminary to a reply from
the Entente Allies and the United
States, whether Germany accepts the
principles of peace as repeatedly laid
down, or merely proposes to accept
them "as the basis of negotiation"
and whether the chancellor merely
speaks for the German military mas
ters conducting the war Or the whole
German people.
AS the full significance of the Pres
ldent's diplomacy is disclosed it be-
comes evident that he has left open
the way to peace and at the same time
left the militarist leaders of the Gen.
tral Powers with question they
must necessarily answer in a way
that will lead to peace or confront
them with most embarrassing situa-
ton IN their own countries. Among
diplomats in Washington the Presi-
dents communication is regarded as
one OF his master strokes. It is point
ed out that upon cursory examina-
tion it may not show such strong
terms as some may have desired. All
the Presidents advisers, however, are
confident that as a close consideration
reveals it's full import will be appa-
rent that it is long step forward If
Germany really means peace, and that
if she does not it will strip bare an
other hypocricy of German diplomacy
SO completely that the responsibility
for prolonging the war never can be
charged to the Allies, even by the
German people themselves.
The text of the Presidents commu-
nication, made public Tuesday by Sec-
retary Lansing, follows.
From the Secretary OF State to the
charge de'affaires Of Switzerland:
Department Of State, October 8,
1918.
'Sir:-I have the honor to acknow-
ledge ,on behalf of the President, your
note of October 9th, enclosing the
communication from the German gov
ernment to the President; and I am
instructed by the President to request
you to make the following communi-
cation to the imperial German chan
cellor:
"'Before making reply to the re-
quest of the imperial German gov
ernment and in order tkat the reply
shall be as candid and straightfor-
ward as the momentous interests in
volved require, the President of the
United States deems it neces-
sary to assure himself OF
/ the exact meaning of the note
of the imperial chancellor. Does the
imperial chancellor mean that the i'm
the terms laid down by the President
United States on the 9Th of January
last and in subsequent addresses and
that it's object in entering into discus
sions would be only to agree upon the
practical details of their application
"'The President feels bound to say
with regard to the suggestion OF ar
armistice that he would not feel a.
liberty to propose cessation of arms
to the governments with. which The
government of the United States is
associated against the Central Pow
ers so long as the armies of those pow
ers are upon their soil. The good faitl
of any discussion would manifestly de
pend upon the consent of the Contra
Powers Immediately to withdraw thei1
forces everywhere from invaded terri
tory
"'The President also feels that h
is justified in asking whether the I'M
perial chancellor is speaking lnerel!
:, for the constituted authorities Ct tn
empire who have so far conducted tn
, war. He deems the answer to thes
> questions vital from every POINT o
f view.
,, "Accept, sir, the renewed assur
: ances of my high consideration:
.. "'ROBERT LANSING.'
"Mr. Frederick Oederlin, charg
j.. d'affaires of Switzerland, ad iterir
;. in charge of German interests in tn
IInited States"