New-York tribune., 1918-02-19
German Papers
AXE NewView
OF President
Pacihst of Puritanic Fanat.
icism Bent on Victory,
One Says
T.Stuf CoryesDondence1

WASHINGTON, Feb. 1s. - President
Wilson-a paciflst of extreme Puri-
tanic fanaticism determined to use
every effort to win the victory for his
ideals of right and justice.
That is the editorial comment of a
prominent German newspaper, "The
Muenchner Meuste Nachrichten," in it's
issue Of February 13, in commenting
on President Wilson's latest statement
of the basis for peace. The newspaper
extracts great hope for further discus
sion, leading to peace, from the Presi
dents latest pronouhcement, which it
holds much milder than the January
speech.
Following is the text, as given out
officially here tonight:
"Tho Presidents speech shows a
clear desire to continue the public dis
cussion between Washington and the
Central Powers. The tone is even
milder than the January speech, which
, shows great progress over his former
messages.
"The message justihcs the recent ar
tcles in this newspaper written by
Germans familiar with the American
situation. who painted picture OF Will
son other than that Of our shallow
bribcd agent of Wall Street, and cham
pion of the trust impcrialist, graspiug
rapaciously for world supremacy, but a
pacifist of extreme Puritanic fanati-
cism. determined to use every effort to
win the victory for his ideals of right
and Justice.
an this doctrnarianism lies, perhaps,
gestivc strength for Americans. Ger
man statesmen will ado we'll to realize
that if Germany comes to no modus
vivcnd with the Wilson mentality it
will find in America its. most tenacious
and wealthy opponent, with ineXhausti-
bic resources.
at is important to observe how
greatly Wilson differs in tone and sub
stance from the declarations of other
understood why America is not polt-
ically represented at Versailles. 1t is
because Wilson's present policy is not
the policy of Clcmcnceau and Lloyd
George.
"Wilson is mistaken in assuming
existing difficulties between the mill
tary party and the German people, but
his mistake is conceivable in consid-
Grafton of the recent unprincipled
party which Historically cried for a
military coup d'etat. 1t is hoped that
the Reichstag, in close cooperation
with the government, will Immediately
convince Wilson of error.
ut should not be difficult for 'Hert-
ling and Czernin. by defining more
closely their former declarations, to
come to an agreement in principle with
Wilson. But the latter should also see
the justice of applying this beautiful
principle to the Allies.
"Altogether, Wilson shows bimse]e
as the only opponent with whom dis
cussion is possible Therefore, it is
the duty of German statesmen to Sc
cure the greatest possible benefit from
this discussion.
"lf agreement with America can sue
coed before its war machines assume
irresistible momentum, the whole En-
tente will be unhinged."
Almost equally interesting is an
editorial from the "Muenchcr POST Of Of
February 13, which asserts that the
President is entirely right in many
points of his attack on Hertlinc, the
German Premier. The text follows.
"Wilsons reply to Hertling and
Czern!n shows the strong desire for a
general peace. 1t is even more em.
phatic in this regard than the Janu-
ary message, which this paper warmly
supported: 1t must be admitted that
the President is entirely right in many
points Of his polemic against Hert-
ling. The latter spoke, but formulated
no positive programme.
The President places himself on the
basis Of the Reichstag resolution of
July. and thus a general peace and
reconciliation becomes possible. This
newspaper expects the Chancellor to
build now a binding hridpe To Anaar;ea