The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1918-09-16

Every member reached declared that
il was their opinion there can be no
| consideration Of any peace offer until
! after the surrender OF the Teutonic
powers. II will be the allies, y ey say,
who will determine the time the place.
/ and the terms Of peace, not the central
powers.
II is expected here that In rejecting
| the Austrian suggestion President
| Wilson will take occasion TO make II
plain that the United States cannot
| accept any such suggestion as having
been made in good fafth He is ex-
pected to refer to the fact that tbs
| central powers know. and have known
for months, the terms upon which the
entente and the United States will
make peace. Until these terms arc
accepted and the central powers show
their good faith by announcing their
readiness to withdraw from all In
vaded territory and to make the repa-
ration which the president has de-
clared must be part Of lasting peace.
nothing but waste OF time would be
gained by holding such conference
as Is proposed by the Austro- -Hunga-
rian government.
Fathered by Germany.
II Is considered certain here today
that the pence drive of the central
powers-for officials are completely
convinced that the Austrian offer was
fathered by Germany-will not end
with the rejection Of the present sug-
gestion. The central empires are in
prccarious condition both militarily
and economically. Grave discomfort Is
reported from every part of Germany
and Austria.
The morale of the dual armies is
low ana Is steadily being further shat
tered. The constant pounding of the
mighty allied triphammer on the vest
ern battle line Is shaking the very
foundations of the two countries. Be
cause OF this officials here said today
that continued peace offers are certain
for some time to come. However, un-y
til the minimum terms of the entente,
as already voiced in the public utter
ances of President Wilson and Pre-
miers Lloyd George and Clemenceau,
are accepted by the central powers. all
such suggestions will fall upon deaf
ears.
Officials, after carefully examining
the unofficial cca.ad text of the Austr.cc-.
offer, called attention 10 the very adroit
language which was used throughout.
II was pointed out that Austria seemed
very desirous of placing all Of the onus
for continuing the war on the allies
and tried in every way to Juggle the
language so that 1t would appear sss
though Austria was ready to make
material concessions which in reality
she was not doing.
The state department, curiously
enough, today was In receipt OF dis
patches from neutral country which
stated that the diplomats there warned
that Germany was launching a most
nffo ct1 nihor die I
patches also called attention to the fact
that German newspapers have practic-
ally ceased editorial discussion OF the
military situation and that semi off, |
cial apologies for failure OF the army |
to keep advancing now are missing.
Officals took occasion to point out !
today that the demand that the peace |
be rejected Immediately
and emphaticallysw was almost unani-
nous In every section of the country.
Only one single newspaper so far as
could be learned-the New York Times
--is reported to have suggested any
whatever OF the Austrian
pffer. Messages to the White House,
10 leaders in the senate ard house, TO
cabinet officers. all echoed the single
sentiment that the offer should be
rejected in such n manner that no de-
bate would be left that the United
States was in the war to a finish and
nothing less than a complete surren-
ler by the forces Of autocracy will
satisfy this nation.
Yesterday some doubt had been ex-
as to whether the Austrian
proposal might not revive pacifist SEN
iment In this country. This doubt has
,eeri more than net at rest. All of
he information obtainable here today
s that not only Is the country o unit
n demanding that there be no peace
~ negotiation. but 1t Is held that even
o give consideration to the ustrian
,uggestion would be an insult to the
,rmy and the navy. The men fighting
n France and elsewhere. and the rela- I
Ives OF those whose names are on the
'roll Of honor" would never counten-
lnce peace that does not crush for
III time the German military machine.
8 shown absolutely by the messages !
eaching here from every section of -
he country S