Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1918-10-24
WILSON'S
Note TO GERMANY

Washington H. c. oct. .3.-Thc message Of President
Hison dispatched to Germany tonight ',ds as toho'S;
From the secretary OF state to the charge daaires ad in
term in charge OF German interests in the Jnted States:
Department OF State Oct 3, IoIS.-Sir: | have the
honor acknowledge the receipt OF note OF the 1nd trans
hitting communication under date OF the goth from the
German government and advise YOU that the president has
instructed reply thereto follows:
Having received the solemn and explicit OF the
German government that ureseredy accept, the terms OF
peace laid down his address the congress OF the United
States the eighth OF January 1913 and the principles OF set
eme enumerated his subsequent addresses particularly the
address Of the wentysevenh OF September and THAI desires
to discuss the details Of their application and that this wish and
purpose emanated those who have hitherto dictated
German policy and conducted the present war on Gernanys
behalf but from ministers who speak for the majority OF the
rechstae and for overwhelming majority OF the German
peoples and having received also the explicit promise of the
present German government that the humane rules OF civilized
warfare will be observed both land and by the German
armed forces the President OF the United States feels that he
cannot decline take up with the governments with which the
government of the United States associated the question OF
an armistce
'e deems his duty say again however, that the only
armistce he would feel justified submitting for consideration
would be one which should leave the United States and the
powers associated with her position enforce any ar
engagements that may be entered into and make renewal OF
hostilies on the part OF Germany impossible
Ihe President has therefore transmitted his correspon
dence with the present German authorities the governments
with which the government of the United States associated
beigeren with the suggestion that II those governments
disposed to effect peace upon the terms and principles nd
Gated their military advisers and the military advisers of the
United States be asked submit the governments associated
against Germany the necessary terms of such arnsce
the associated governments the Unrestricted power to saIe
guard and enforce the details Of the peace which the German
government has agreed provided they deem such arntce
possible from the military point OF view
Should such OF armistce be suggested their accep
lance by Germany will afford the best concrete evidence OF her
neqoca acceptance OF the terms and principles o peace from
which the whole acton proceeds
The President would deem himself lacking in candor did
he point the rankest possible the why
extraordinary safeguards be demanded Significant and
important the constitutional changes be which
spoken OF by the German foreign secretary his OF the
Goth of October does appear that the principle GOV
eminent responsible the German people has been fully
worked out that any guarantees either exist in
temptation that the alterations OF principle and Of practice
partially agreed upon will be permanent.
Moreover it does appear that the heart of the present
difficulty has been reached 1t may be that future wars have
been brought under the control OF the German people but the
present war has not been and is with the present war that
dealing.
1T evident that the German people have no means Of
commanding the acqescence Of the military authorities OF the
empire the popular Will that the power of the king Of Prus
sa to control the policy Of the empire is unpaire that the
determining initiative still with those who have hitherto
been the masters of Germany.
Feeling that the whole peace OF the world depends now on
plain speaking and Straightforward action the President deems
his duty say without attempt soften what NAV seem
harsh words that the OF the world do and cannot
the word Of those who have hitherto been the masters of
10
peace and attempting to undo the infinite injuries and nusces
Of this the government OF the United States cannot deal
with any but verabe representatives Of the German people who
have been assured OF genuine constitutional standing as the
real rulers of Germany
IF it must deal with the military and the monarch
lad atocras of Germany if is likely to have to deal
with them later in regard the international obligations Of the
German empire il must demand peace negotiations but
surrender Nothing be gained by leaving this essential
thing unsaid
Accept sir the renewed OF high considerations
I ROBERT LANSING
Me 11 1 III