The Watertown news. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1917-1919, 1918-10-14
SUSPEND JUDGMENT WILSON
ON GERMAN PEACE NOTE

the capital because of Germanv,s
emission of any mention of Turkey in
the unofficial reply. Consideration of
this point, taken with regard TO the
many reports which have pictured Tur
key as sending a plea for peace direct
to the president, caused officials TO
wonder whether or not Turkey had
followed Bulgaria's lead and abau-
doned the alliance
If this is the case. and it has been
expected to be the case for the last
week, it means an early end to the
war, even considering Germany and
austria 80 enemies with forces oppos-
ing the allied armies. For the Ger
man note, it was reported, is at least a
frank admission of defeat and a desire
for peace at almost any price.
While it is conceded generally that
the gist Of the entire subject rests in
Prince NaX's anScer to the presidents
third question respecting the German
government, military men see alarm
ing features in the evacuation of enc
my territory, as proposed by Germany
and Austria.
If Germany should be allowed to
withdraw her armies in orderly fash
ion to the Rhine defenses she would
be far better off, from a military stand
point, it was said than she now is.
Seek Orderly Retreat.
Evacuation would allow an orderly
retreat, without loss Of life or mate
rial, it was pointed out, whereas pres
ent conditions indicate the wholesale
defeat of all the German forces on
the west front before they reach the
Rhine.
With an unimpaired line, though,
and strong fortifications, Germany
could continue hOstilities indefinitely,
especially if she came out second best
in peace negotiations and the allies
decreed the war to go on.
Another feature Of the present ne
gotiatiOnS and one which the president
may touch upon in his reply, is the
dreadful and wantOn destruction of
towns and villages in northern France
and Belgium, performed at q time
when Germany beseeches peace.
President in Washington.
Washington, Oct. 14.-President
Wilson, accompanied by Colonel
House, his confidential adviser, re-
turned to the capital from New York.
The president has reached a deci-
sion on the German reply to his note
Of inquiry, but he will not act until
the official text Of the note is delivered
to the state department by Frederick
Oederlein, the Swiss charge d'affaires.
Paris Sees Trick.
Paris, Oct. 14.-The Paris newspa-
perS do not appear to grow enthusias-
tic over Germany's reply to President
Wilson. More space is given to the
military successes Of the allies than to
discussion of the note.
Some of the newspaper contend that,
as Germany's response is an admission
of military defeat, there should be
military surrender.
Germany has replied and she has
not replied" says L'Homme Libre,
IreII1ler CloInonCoauS newspaper. by
the single, solitary fact that she wants
to engage in conferences over an
arniistice she proves she is in urgent
need Of a suspension Of hostilities.
.L'Eclair says: 1--WE must not under
take anything that savors of negotia-
tons. One single man must speak
FOch.'
The Matin expresses itself similarly
and alludes to Germany's assurances
Of her parliamentarization as "mere
duplicity." LIE Petit Parisien says:
mo mixed commission is going to
draw the armistice conditions. The
vanquished will have no part in stipu-
lating the conditions. Foch will die
fate and the Germans will obey
'Pertinax," writing in the Echo de
Paris, warns of a German trick by
which the enemy would evacuate all
but Alsace-Lorraine unless the victory
is pressed.