The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-10-14

n t4Ak II
II now presented to the President is the
most momentous and In many respects
the most dangerous since the war began.
The German reply virtually makes the
peace issue paramount to every war ac-
t;vity until the suspense il relieved by a
definite statement from the President.
Until that comes every one here admits
that uncertainty tending to disorganize
war efforts and put damper on enthu-
siasm will necessarily prevail.
Many believe that the Imperial Ger
raan Government already has achieved
part of its object by permeating the at
mosphere In enemy countries with peace
thoughts and creating the impression
that the war In virtually over. Officials
here believe that Germany deliberately
made the text OF the note public in ad-
vance of its receipt by President Wilson
to accomplish this aim.
But even in advance OF the receipt OF
the official text by the President senti-
ment here and In Entente countries APP
pears TO have rapidly crystallized In
favor Of unconditional surrender az the
only terms which the Entente and the
United States would accept.
Military experts in Franco warn
against letting the Prussian war ma
chine. now Keeling under repeated blows.
escape intact by an agreement to per-
init Il to return to its own soil. plan
of strategy, which will absolutely re-
move the menace of future Prussian
militarism for all time Is said to have
been worked out This plan. II Is said.
would be completely robbed OF Its
effectiveness IL the German armies by
interposins the armistice plea were to
Do allowed to withdraw with their equip
Aoh hal~ nm,
soil.
Attitude Of Commander.
The attitude OF the military COM
manders is regarded here as Of prime
Importance because even II President
Wilson should accept the German reply
as . ground for suggesting an armistice
10 the Entente he would find the matter
In its last analysis resting on the tudg-
ment Of tho military leaders. 1t Is noted
that Sir Douglas Haig has already Is
sued a warning TO his troops to disre-
gard the influences of the peace runrors.
Military men here assume that Gen.
Psrshing will follow the same line.
An armstice in the common interpre-
tation of the term means an arrange
ment entered into by opposing armies
and subject to conditions perfectly I'M
unconditional surrender means giving
over Of arms and equipment by the de-
feated army or Mt least enabling the
victorious army to take possession or
the strategic points which, guarantee
no further military resistance on the
part OF the enemy.
Permitting the enemy to retire with
his war machine intact to his own soil
ia no sense would constitute uncondi-
tional surrender. according to the view
advanced in diplomatic circles to-day
and which comedies with that taken
by many at the Capitol.
Question OF Guarantees.
The occupation Of Strassburs, Metz
and other points in German territory
and the insistence upon sufficient dis
armament OF the German forces to
guarantee against further attack per-
haps would bring about the same effect
as unconditional surrender. II Is ex-
planned, but no one here believes that
the Imperial German Government would
listen to such an effective means of
really guaranteeing their good faith
and peace.
Diplomats also discuss the question OF
whether Germany's proposal to evacuate
invaded territory would mean with
0fhWdi from AkSdCe anu l<OTrdlne. Inc
Interpretation placed by one competent
authority on the Presidents fourteen
terms was that 1t would not include
these provinces.
II also Is suggested that Germany
would not consider herself bound TO
evacuate Russian or Rumanian territory
for the reason that she Is not now at
war with Russia and that consequently
her troops are NOT INVADING there.
Other points which diplomats touch
on are: ,.
Assuming the present German reply to
be In n measure sincere and assuming
that II does represent the will of the
liberals and the people in Germany what
guarantee Is there that the Kaiser and
the Imperial war lords do not override
It's programme at any time they might
md 1t advantageous
Why was the reply signed by DR.. Will
lam 8. Solf. state Secretary OF Foreign
once. instead OF Prince Macmillan, to
whom the Presidents inquiry was ad-
dressed?
The omission of the word Imperial"
In the note as given out in the unofficial
text Is also commented upon. The fall
ure to mention Turkey as one Of the
allies of Germany is also noted and re-
garded as significant.
roF Fubhc consumption.
The German answer Is believed to have
been drawn UP for public consumption
and with a view OF affecting the situation
In both Turkey and Austria as well as
Mt home. Turkey, 1t ia known here prac-
tically had served notice on Germany
that she was about to quit, but evidently
has been held Off by the assurances given
her by the German statesmen that their
answer would be satisfactory.
1t may now be pointed out to Turkey
that Germany has virtually offered to
quit herself. The same design. It is held
here. very likely applies to Austria. The
subtle design of the Teutonic statesmen
to stiffen the resistance of their crum-
bling allies and their own people as we'll
in the event of a refusal by an appar-
emily unqualified acceptance of the Pres
dents terms is not lost sight OF here. but
those cognizant OF conditions in both
Austria and Turkey have no doubt that
any such object as this cannot be sue
cessfully accomplished.
Both Austria and Turkey. II Is be-
heved. are too far gone to hold out long
against the allied armies.