The Carlisle independent., 1918-10-17
By EpWARp w. PACKARD.

Prince Max Of Baden. the new i'm perial chancellor of Germany, re. QEesting President Wilson to arrange foI an armistice and q subsequent dis cussion of peace terms. and stating that Germany accepted the presidents fl points is basis for the negotia- lions. evoked three separate and dis t1net replies. President Wilson an- swered that he could not suggest an arrnistice while the German armies were outside the boundaries of Ger many, and then asked whether the German government accepted the terms laid down by him and whether Its object in entering discussions WAS only to agree upon the practical de tails of their application: furthermore, he wanted 10 know whether the chan cellor was speaking merely for the constituted authorities of the empire who have so far conducted the war.
 The people of all the allied nations. soldiers and civilians alike. answered Prince Max with tremendous shout Of "Unconditionsl surrender
 
 the most powerful attacks of the sl- lied armies. capturing he important city of Cambrai, smashing 20-mile- wide breach through the Hindenburg line. and forcing tack the German armies all along the line from Nerdnn to the sea.
 Nearly all authorities agree that the chancellor's proposal was insincere that the request for an armistice was made merely te give the military com mand a chance to reorganize The shat tered armies, and that Prince Max knew the suggestion fer a peace con ference, as he made 1t. would be re- .,ected, giving him the opportunity te say to the people of Germany: .I have offered to end the war on the enerny,s own terms and he refuses. The Ger man nation now must lnitedly fight on"
 At first there was some disappoint- ment because President Wilson did not reject The German proposal swift Iy and bluntly, but little considers ton has convinced almost everyone that he evaded 8 trap and by his d. rect questions put The German dip lomats in position Of the utmost diff culty. At the same time he Jeff the door open for ultimate negotiations tfter Germany has accepted his IA points and given full guarantees. As for the armistice. he did not agree 10 that even were the German armies 10 he withdrawn frcm all occupied terri tories, recognizing the fact that the declaring of an armistice is mp to the military commanders. The presi- dents note was fully approved. prob tbly in advance. hy the allied govern ments, and was given inc highest praise by the press in England and Trance as well as America.
 Any agreed cessation of fighting at this time. short Of the abiect snren- der of the central powers. would bit- terly disappoint the soldiers of the allied armies and the people who are backing them up. Foch's forces have the Germans on me fun- ana 1T they are permitted 10 follow ID the Huns on their retreat to the Mouse they will destroy large part of their effective ness and capture probably half of their material On the other hand an armls- tiee would permit the Huns to retire within their borders with their armies Intact and prepared to maneuver effec- lively behind their shortened and pow crfully fortified lines. Animated hy spirit. not of vindictiveness. but of retributive justice. the men of the al- lied armies feel that no peace should