The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1918-10-24
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GERMANY'S LAST CHANCE.

. GERMANY'S LAST CHANCE.
81 don't trust you; doubt the honesty of your
intentions cannot believe that your peace asplr-
atoms are sincere, but will not positively reject
YOUR last peace offer until our allies have had an
opportunity to consider it. Then, If an armlstlce
is granted it will be on terms, dictated by OUR
military advisors, and itswhl be such an armistce
as will leave YOU utterly unable to renew hostill-
ties when the truce is concluded"
That is the substance of President Wilson's
latest reply to Germany's newest note. 1t cannot
be very consong to the dignity of the imperial
government nor to the hopes of the German peo-
pie. As between an armistice or this type and
unconditional surrender, there is little choice. Ii
Germany accepts the terms of an armistice such
as President Wilson believes-probably knows
the military advisors of the countries associated
against Germany will propose, the central powers
will be out Of the game for good and the allies will
be in position to enforce the terms of any peace
which may to them appear just. ~...-~
There will be found some good Americans who
would rather have had the president reply more
briefly or not at all to Germany; men who would
have had the president fatty and completely reject
Germanys renewed peace offer, and who would
hav had our chief executive once more throw in
the teeth of Kaiser Wilhelm the only terms which
will in the end be acceptable to America and her
UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER. The
great majority of the American people, however,
must feel with The Tribune that Germany's reply
placed President Wilson in position where he
could do no less than he has DONE
Our allies have had four years of this war to our
one When the time finally comes for the actual
dictation of peace terms it is right that allies
shall outweigh US. 1t is equally right that the allies
should bear some of the burden of rejecting or
accepting Germanys present peace tender. 1t is
great deal to ask one nation to assume sole re-
sponsiblitv for the prolongation of this great
struggle. The reply which is made to the imperial
German government now will be final There
probably will be no further negotiations until the
time comes for the victorious allies to sit in judy
ment upon the monstrous criminals of this war.
We do not feel that in referring his correspond
ence with Germany to our confederates and asking
their COUNSEL President Wilson is Sinking or
evading; he is entirely frank in his reply to Ger
many; he speaks for his people when he says that
he doubts the change of heart which Germany
processes that so little can he trust Germany that
the only armistice which he would approve would
be one which would leave Germany helpless to re-
new hostilities.
Germany has placed herself in a position where
she must, so long as the memories of men now
living survive, submit to insult and abuse. She is
now receiving only hint of that which is to come.
Germany is not now in so humble mood that she
is prepared for this abasement, but the time is
fast approaching when Germany must and will
take that which is her DUE 4.s .
President Wilson's note, we believe, will hasten
rather than defer the coming of that day, not Der
Tag Of Prussian barbarity, but the clear, white
clean wholesome day of universal democracy and
freedom for all the peoples Of the earth-even the
HUNS
The real test for patriotism is not signing up
for Liberty Bond-it's paying up.
"A layman at the front would wonder at the in
satiabe appetite of army horses till closer in
spection revealed the "nose-bags" to be gas masks
Speaking of Garield's plea to walk downstairs
and save fuel that extra elevator operation re-
cr,;res q coutefnuoraI.v saws "the use Of le1s il