Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-10-14
SO|L.0F us. BARREN
TO HUN PEACE SEED
Advance Publicity for. Note
Fails to Arouse Pacifist
Sentiment in U. S.
ALL OPPOSE ARMISTICE

80 eS AhohS oSlCtC, 1CIIldIy ODs
iect in giving publicity to the peace
note in advance of presentation of
the official text was to create a pos
sible background of sympathy in the
United States for its favorable recep-
tion. exactly the opposite effect has
resulted. 1t is thought Germany may
have counted upon arousing the
pacifist sentiment in the United States
to pave the way for favorable con-
sideration of the German reiteration
of appeal for an armistice.
The lapse of twenty-four hours
since publication by the press Of this
country of Germany's note has suf-
feed to develop the Overwhelming
demand from every section of the
land for refusal of an armistice and
insistence upon uncopditional sur
render before terms Of final peace
shall be considered for negotiation.
The public mind is shown to be prac-
tfcally unanimous in viewing the pro-
posal of Germany with suspicion, with
utter lack of confidence in the good
faith of the offer and thoroughly alive
to the advantages which would accrue
to Germany by yielding to an armistice
with consequent imperiling of the aims
of the allies.
People Thinking as a Unit.
Editorial expressions in the leading
newspapers, rejecting public sentiment
it widely separated communities, show
that the American people are thinking
as unit and concur in the estimate
of the insincerity of the German plea
and the realization of the danger to
the interests of humanity now and for
the future in yielding to it. The views
of prominent statesmen in Congress
coincide with this widespread public
state of mind.
men as well, took up the burden of the
days responsibilities this morning
one thought was dominant in express
sion everywhede: That President Will
son would find it advisable to take ac-
ton before the sun goes down. if pos
sible, to make clear the attitude of
this government. and the general hope
was that this attitude would be one
of absolute inSiStence upon nofceSSa-
tion of warfare until the central DOW
1t was felt that the country is at
high tension over the situation; that
this initiates against the liberty loan
drive, and if allowed to continue long
would tend to demoralize many con-
ditionS having a bearing upon the
successful prosecution of the war,
Prompt Decision Expected.
The suggestion was made early in
the day in official quarters that Presi-
dent Wilson is quite well aware of
this state of affairs. and thoroughly
alive to all the considerations which
appeal to the official and lay mind.
The belief was fostered that the Presi-
dent will announce a decision prompt
ly. In the meantime there came an Off
cial request that the public should
withhold conjecture. The form of this
intimation, as sent out by the Asso-
ciated Press, was as follows:
THE government asks the American
people to withhold their judgment on
Germanys note until President Will
son has received the official communi-
cation and has had time to consider
it" This was not construed as a re-
quest to newspapers to refrain from
editorial comment, however
Unofficial comment upon the status
of affairs presented by the sending of
the note dealt. as one feature, with
this considerations: Did GERMANY. in
dents pre-announced terms of peace
place this government in the attitude
of assuming responsibility for contin-
uing the war if the German plea was
rejected?
Question Answered in Negative.
The answer to that question was in
the negative 1t was pointed out that
the German note still failed to satisfy
the Pesident's inquiry through Secre-
tary Lansing, Of Prince Maximilian as
to the identity and responsibility of
the German government which spoke
in the note published yesterday. The
President made it plain that he con-
sidered it vital to all future moves to
be apprised of the character of. the
government which assumes to act for
the German people.
The latest note did not make it
plain that the CONSTITUTED authorities
OF the empire who have so far con-
Quoted the war" are not still the ruI-
ing power in German affairs
President Wilson's estimate of those
constituted authorities was expressed
IN speech September %, as follows:
I'VE are all agreed that there can
be no peace obtained by any kind of
bargain or compromise with the gov
ernments Of the central empires. be-
cause we have dealt with them already
and have seen them deal with other
governments that were parties to this
struggle, at Brest-Litovsk and Buch-
Arrest
Impossible to Come to Terms"
"They have convinced US that thev
are without honor and do not intend
justice. They observe no covenants,
accept no principle but force and their
own interest. We cannot come to
terms with them. They have made
it impossible. The German people
must by this time be fully aware tha:
Continue =. Secon! fa...!