The states-graphic. (Brownsville, Tenn.) 1???-1984, 1918-10-25

The assumption that the procedula q
this evacuation and Of the conditiors
Of an aimistice should be left to ths
military advisers and that the aetua
standard of power on both sides in shs
field has to form the basis for arrangs
ments safeguarding and guarantee
this standard.
"The German government sugges !
to the president that an opportun X
should be brought about for fixins
the details. 1t trusts that the presi
dent of the United States will approsg
Of no demand which would be irrecon
cilable with the honor of the Germs
people and with opening a way to q
peace of justice.
The German government protest.
against the reproach of ille\
gal and inhumane actions madeagainsl
the land and sea forces and thereby
against the German people. For the
covering of a retreat distractions
will always be necessary and they are
carried out insofar as permitted BY
international law. The German troops
are under most strict instructions I'd
spare private property and to exer-
else care for the population to the best
of their ability. Where transgressions
occur in spite Of these instructions, the
guilty are being punished.
"The German government further
denies that the German navy In sink
ing ships has ever purposely destroyed
lifeboats with their passengers. The
German government proposes that in
regard to all these charges that the
facts be cleared up by neutral COM
mission.
'In order to avoid anything that
might hamper the work of peace the
German government has caused or
ders to be dispatched to all submarine
commanders precluding the torpedo
ing of passenger ships without, how
ever, for technical reasons, being able
to guarantee that these orders will
reach every single submarine before
its return.
"As fundamental condition for
peace the president prescribes the de-
struction of every arbitrary power
that can SEPARATELY, secretly and Of its
cwn single choice disturb the peace
of the world. To this the German
government replies:
Hitherto the representation of the
people in the German empire hasaqfa
b1en endowed with Ian IN fffgative, ,er)
fcrnation thtAseaiess calomel9le
lAe Constitution did SOD 4t- is.ins: Il
a concurrence Of representation OF Inc
people in decisions Of peace and war.
These conditions have just now under
gone a fundamental change. A new
government has been formed in COM
plete accordance with the wishes
(principle of the representation Of
the people, based on equal, unequivocal
universal, secret franchise.
"The leaders of the great parties
of the reichstag are members Of this
government. In the future no govern
ment can take or continue in office
without possessing the confidence OF a
majority of the Reichstag.
"The responsibility of the chaneel-
lor of the empire to the representa-
ton of the people is being legally de-
veloped and safeguarded. The first
act of the new government has been to
lay before the Reichstag bill to al
ter the constitution of the empire 50
that the consent of the representation
Of the people is required for decisions
on war and peace.
"The permanence of the new system
is, however, guaranteed, not only by
constitutional safeguards, but also by
the unshakable determination Of the
German people whose vast majority
stands behind these reforms and de-
mands their energetic continuance.
"The question of the president
with whom he and the governments
associated against Germany are deal
ing-is, Therefore, answered in clear
uneouivocal manner by the statement
that the offer of peace and an armls-
tice has come from government
which is free from any arbitrary and
irresponsible influence, is supported
by the approval of an overwhelming
majority of the German people.
(Signed) SOLF."