The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1918-10-24

NOT the SHIPS alone, Dut the very 5o2f8
in which their passengers and crews
seek to make their way to safety; and
in their present enforced withdrawal
from Flanders and France the Ger.
man armies are pursuing course OF
wanton destruction which has always
been regarded as In direct violation
of the rules and practices Of civilized
warfare. Cities and villages, if not
destroyed, are being stripped Of all
they contain not only, but often Of
their very inhabitants.
1.-THE nations associated against
Germany cannot be expected to agree
to a cessation of arms while acts OF
inhumanity, spoliation and desolation
are being continued which they justly
look upon with horror and with burn
ing hearts.
at is necessary, also in order that
there may be no possibility Of misun-
derstanding, that the President should
very soIemnly call the attention Of
the government of Germany to the
language and plain intent of one of
the terms of peace which the German
government has now accepted. It is
contained in the address of the Pres
ident delivered at Mount Vernon on
the Fourth Of July last.
at is as follows:
1.-THE destruction OF every arbitrary
power anywhere that can separately,
secretly and OF its single choice, dis
turb the peace of the world; or, If it
cannot be presently destroyed, at
least its reduction to virtual.
1.-THE power which has hitherto con-
trolled the German nation is Of the
sort here described. It is within the
choice of the German nation to alter
it. The Presidents words just quoted
naturally constitute a condition prece-
dent to peace, if peace is to come by
the action of the German people them
| selves.
1.-The President feels bound to say
that the whole process Of peace will,
in his judgment, depend upon the
definiteAess and the satisfactory char
acter of the guarantees which can be
given in this fundamental matter. 1t
is indispensable that the governments
associated against Germany should
know beyond a peTadYenture with
whom they are dealing.
''The President will make a separ-
ate reply to the royal and imperial
government of Austria-Hungary.
Accept, sir, the renewed assur-
ances of my high consideration,
ROBERT LANSING.
Frederick Oderlin, charge d'affaires,
ad interim, in charge of German in
terests in the United States"
The German Note.
| Washington, D. C.-Germany's re-
ply to President Wilson's inquiry, in
tercepted as it was being sent by the
great wireless towers at Nauen and
forwarded here tonight in an official
dispatch from France, declares Ger
many is ready to accept President
Wilson's peace terms, evacuate the in
vaded territory as a prerequisite to an
armistice and that the bid for peace
represents the German people as well
as the government.
IN reply to the questions of the
President of the United States OF
America the German government
hereby declares:
"The German government has &C
cepted the terms laid down by Presi
dent Wilson in his address of Januar!
the eighth and in his subsequent ad-
dresses on the foundation of a per
manent peace of justice.
consequently, it's object in enter
ing into discussions would be only to
agree upon practical details Of the ap
plication of these terms. The German
! government believes that the govern
ments of the powers associated with
- - fo,To
also take the position taken by Presi-
dent Wilson in his address.
1.-THE German government in accord
ance with the Austro-Hungartan gov
eminent. for the purpose of bringing
about an armistice, declares itself
ready to comply with the propositions
of the President in regard to evacu.
alton
"The German government suggests
that the President may occasion the
meeting of a mixed commission for
making the necessary arrangements
concerning the evacuation.
'"The present German government,
which has undertaken the RESPONSE
bility for this step towards peace, has
been formed by conferences and in
agreement with the great majority OF
the Reichstag.
1.-THE chancellor, supported in all OF
his actions by the will of this majority
speaks IN the name of the German
government and OF the German PEG
pie.
Berlin, Oct. II, 1918.
(Signed) "SOLF,
Estate Secretary of Foreign Office
Canterbury's Famous Ghost.