New-York tribune., 1918-10-08


solution of her army and navy, and
pledges for complete indemnifcations
The resolution was referred to the
Foreign Relations Committee.
Although first pointing out that
Gcrmany's offer contemplates accept
ance Of President Wilson's fourteen
peace terms, Senator Hitchcock de-
clarcd that the request for an armis-
tice is absolutely abhorrent" to every
member of the Senate. at is un-
{ thinkable," he said, chat the German
aud Austrian proposals will be ac-
ceptcd," ard he insisted that not only
must Alsace- Lorraine be restored to
France, but that, in any peace negotia
tions, an organic change in 'Germany's
laws must be had so that the Allies
German people.
Senator Reed, Of Missouri, at the
start Of the debate, reading from an
early edition of an afternoon news
paper of German troops burning viii
lagos said: There is no doubt that the
Allies Will not grant an armistice un-
III ticS dlc dSSuieu NSIuduy is SOiIlS
toquit carrying on war worse than the
Sioux Indians or the South African
natives"
! Attention was called by Senator
, Borah to speech made by President
Wilson in which he said the United
States could not deal with the govern
ments Of the Central Empires because
they were without honor and AIDED:
I'VE cannot come to terms with thell,
but they must come to us,"
Senator Reed, of Missouri, suggested
that the proposal may have been put
forward at this time with q view to
affecting the sale of Liberty bonds.
Germany Could Dodge Issue
Without critcising the President S
fourteen principles, Senator Reed said
crete suggestions, leaving the way
open to the enemy to accept, without
accepting the method by which they
should be applied.
Senator Poindexter declared that
once source of weakness because of
difficulty in securing unified direction
of the war, the association of the Allies
now is source of strength in possible
difficulty in agreement upon acceptance
OF sacrifice" peace.
ut is Fortunate" he said, chat the
proposition for too early peace, al
though concealed with it's propositions
of surrender and sacrifice, may be pre-
vented because of the ability for agree
ment between Great Britain, France
and the United States and the other
Allies"
"An armstce would mean the end
forever of ana additional military
effort. have faith that Clemenceau
the Tiger of France-thc greatest man
in many respects of the present time
and the Seer of Wales, that great
statesman-Prcmier of England, will
be alert to protest against any such un-
wise step.
Germany would come out victor
just rs she went into it. If we accept
ed this offer Alsace- Lorraine would
still be in German hands, Poland still
would be enslaved; Serbians and Bohe.
mians in Austria still would be unde,
the Austrian yoke; Russia, although
evacuated, still would be at the mercy
OF Germany. 1t would leave Belgium
and France unindimnified; it woulc
leave Constantinople. strategically the
most important in the world in com
mercial lines with Asia, still domi
mated by the unspeakable Turk anc
leave the German and Turkish alliance
still intact"
When Senator Poindexter declared
an armistice would mean the end OF
all military action and, if accompanied
only by enemy evacuation OF Belgium
and France, would be victory 70,
Germany, Senator Hitchcock, of Ne.
braska, chairman of the Foreign
Relations Committee interrupted an,
pointed out that the German Offer
also provides for acceptance of the
fourteen terms laid down by the Presi
dent in his address of January 8.
Senator Hitcccck asked Senate
PoinoeXter:
"ls the Senator not omitting yer,
important condition? That is, that tn,
nations making the offer are appear
ing to accept fourteen terms laid dow,
by the President in his address O.
January S, and again laid down a.
modified late in February and agar
in his New York speech. Do not tn,
fourteen conditions include restoration
and indemnihcation of Belgium anc
return to France of Alsace- Lorraine .
Did the President say that?" Min
orlty Leader Lodge interjected.
81 think that can at least be in
ferred" Senator Hitchcock replied.
Senator Poindextcr declared tha
Senator Hitchcock s statement itsel.
indicated the Dangerous and insidiou;
tfaracter' OF .hc support gwen to tn.
evacuation proposition. If an armis
tice were granted, he said, Germany,
" ,H!nsS.QunaqVsFs9. w. aVrqy. would withdraY tt