New-York tribune., 1918-10-27

Administration Senator attempted ether
to have the note printed in THE Congress
slonal Record or to make a speech in its
praise, the Republican Senator'S quietly
decided not to start a discussion which
might SAVIOR of political attack which
might drive all the Democrats into line be-
hind the President, and which, moreover,
might at least be criticised as hampering
the Presidents diplomacy
Broadly, judging from private conversa-
tons with members of the diplomatic
corps, officials, and members OF Congress.
there is fundamental difference of opin-
ion about Germany which divides the CAPT
tai into group approving the note and 4
group dsapproving it. There are other
reasons for approving or disapproving, but
this seems to be the rock On which most
of the criticism divided into friendly and
unfriendly classes
Those who approve the note by and
large, believe that the German people are
tired of the war, tired Of the autocracv
which has ruled them, and tired Of mill
tarism. Those who think this believe the
Presidents note, which offers a negotiated
peace to the German people if they viii
establish truly representative govern
ment. responsible TO the people but onls
surrender for Germanys present form OF
government, may result in the overthrow
of the Hohenzollerns. or at least their re-
duction to the virtual impotency" men,
toned in the Presidents Mount Vernon
speech.
Those who will disapprove the note. for
the most part, believe that the German
Kaiser, the German military power and
the German people are, to use the words
of Senator Poindexter. of Washington. in
discussing this point. "one and indissolu-
BILE" They believe that the German peo-
pies worship their Kaiser, revere the au-
tocracy which rules them and glorv in
their army. This element believes that
peace can only be attained, therefore, bv
crushing all together, which can only be
done by smashing military victory
Mr.. Field adds. with respect to the
Presidents political statement:
The long expected statement from the
President urging the American people 10
elect Democratic House and Senate has
completely turned what had given everv
campaign into of great heat and Bit
terness. The clause of the Presidents
appeal which referred 10 support for his
foreign policies brought forth Immediately
joint Republican statement virtually put
ting the party record as against any
further note writing peace negotia-
tons, and for peace only by the uncondi-
tional surrender route
There IS much private judgment backing
the opinion that the Presidents move. de-
spite the criticisms it has brought fortl,
and despite the issues which it opens to
free discussion by the Republicans, was r
shrewd political move, and which will re.
suit in the election of more Democratic
members of the House, and perhaps even
the Senate, than would otherwise have
been the case. However, the Democrats
are not a unit, privately. in approving the
appeal
Robert T. Small writing in THE
Philadelphia Public Ledger" said when
the Presidents German note was made
public Wednesday evening:
The Presidents strong words TO Ger
many ne admits himself they may sound
harsh TO German ars-set official Wash
ington aglow tonight A great. over
Whelming victory the battlefield could
not have more tonic effect It is GOOD
10 know that the hammer blows OF Foch
arc 70 be strengthened by master stroke
Of diplomacy
David Lawrence, the correspondent Of
The New York Evening Post" who re-
fleets Administration opinion in Wash
lngton, commented in this fashion unon
some OF the issues involved in the Presi
dents note, presumably as they are seen
in Washington:
Not only has the President Just made
answer to Germany, but he has also asked
or the governments associated with IN.
Chlted states whether they agree with his
fourteen principles Of peace. Mr.. Wilson
maze most important address on Sep
'emoer =, asking the Allied statesmen to
speak their minds on the fundamentals of
peace as viewed by the United States hn.
no explicit response came back Earlier IN
the year indeed, just after the prex,der,,.
address OF January s, proclaiminp tha
fourteen articles of peace, Premier Llovd
George and Premier Clemenceau expressed
'nelr approval IN public speeches. but there
never has beer formal acceptance OF tbs
fourteen peace terms by the Allies them
selves.
'efmany knows this, and many people
mink that was the real reason for hcy r.-
'"'" 20 ihoSe fourteen peace terms a.
paS'S' Hermany. moreover, may be seek
"s an opportunity to develop her own -.
iefpTetatlon Of those four+cep ar.,u,