Omaha daily bee., 1918-10-14
Press Comment
On German Note

Chicago Tribune: While the Ger,
man army is still in formidable be-
ing, to enter into discussion is tc
invite disaster. An armistice pur'
chased at the price of mere evacu'
alton of invaded territories would be
an excellent bargain for Germany
from the point of view of the pres.
ent perilous German military stu
alton. We should be foolish indeed
to grant it for it would leave Ger
many stronger than she is at this
moment.
New York World: Coming from
any honest and respectable govern
ment such a reply as Germany has
made to President Wilson's inquiries
might safely be accepted as an TN
conditional surrender. Coming from
the German government it
must be accepted for what it is-an
offer of a surrender without any
- security whatsoever for COM
pliance with any provisions of
promise.
New York Tribune: Victory in
this war is but a means to justice
d by justice we mean death to the
kaiser and to the authors of all that
unspeakable criminality committed
in his name. - If this be not the
! verdict of the American people we
do not know them.
New York Sun: What are the
credentials of the voice now speak
ling? A satisfactory credential would
be the announcement of the kaSer's
abdication. *** Unless the president
has information through other chan
neIs, we can readily imagine what
his answer must be.
New York Times: Surrender, not
an armistice: must be the conditions
precedent to any talk about peace
= - No peace can be made with
tt. Hohenzollerns.
Washington Post: The mere fact
that Germany ostensibly accepts
President Wilson's program OF
world peace does not justify anyone
in presuming that President Wilson
must proceed to negotiate with the
enemy. No peace conference will
be held while Germany holds
sword in her hand.
Boston Herald: The diplomatists
at the present time are Foch and the
allied armies. The sooner and sharp
er this discussion by note comes to
a halt the better.
Minneapolis Tribune: We note
widespread and most intense feeling
that nothing should be allowed to
interfere with a demand for uncon-
ditional surrender and we do not
expect the president to consider any
other possible termination Of hos
tilities.
Kansas City Journal: There is
no indication that the reply eman-
ates from a defeated foe, but rath-
er there can be sensed a certain
glibness born of the belief on the
part of Germany that she has scor-
ed diplomatic victory.
St. Paul Pioneer Press: Whether
the president was prepared befote
he dispatched his late queries to
Germany to meet the situation
which has arisen we have no means
of knowing. We cannot but feel
confident, however, that his keen
divination will sense the humbug in
the German offer and draw from
him reply which will assure the
onward sweep Of the banners of
victory.
St. Louis e-Democrat: The
German government is but little
changed in personnel and not at all
in character. Can its proposals be
submitted to Americas associates in
this war to establish justice and per-
manent peace throughout the world!
St. Louis Republic: Who knows
whether the German reply is q
sham or an honest step towards
peace? Nobody in America has the
means for knowing equal to those
which the president and his advisers
enjoy. He may be trusted to detect
the fraud and administer sufficient
rebuff if there is fraud.
Portland Oregonian, Prince
Max, the new chancellor, represents |
the antithesis Of militarism and PAN
Germanism. Yet the end OF fright |
fulness has not come. Let there be
a real guaranty, unless the president |
knows more of the interior condi- |
tons of Germany than he has made |
known to the public.
Salt Lake City Tribune: The re-
ply on its face means unconditional |
surrender, according to the view of |
Secretary McAdoo. If the president |
it in that manner peace is
at hand. If he does not believe the |
German people are ready to quit, ac-
cept their punishment and give guar
antees for future good behavior the
war will go on.
Des Moines Register: The allied
powers would make a tremendous
mistake if they accepted verbal as
surances in the place of accomplish
ed results. But let US not forget that
President Wilson has all the mental
virtues which we bunch together
when we say cool headed" and he
is not likely to ruin himself and en-
barrass the country with negotia-
tons that in their failure would I'M
peach his sagacity and alertness.
Colorado Springs Gazette: Not un-
til Germany places herself at the
mercy of her conquerors who have
exacted PREPARATION and inflicted am
Dle punishment can we say it is time
to end the war. Until then the
tOiret he aforementioned