The theocrat. [volume] (Zion City [i.e. Zion], Ill.) 1914-1949, 1918-10-12
Wilson Reply to German Peace Proposal


Sir have the honor to acknowledge, on
behalf Of the President, your note Of Oct. 6, in
closing communication from the German gov
eminent to the President, and am instructed
by the President to request you to make the fol-
lowing communication to the Imperial German
Chancellor:
Before making reply to the request Of the
imperial German government, and in order that
that reply shall be as candid and straightfor-
ward as the momentous interests involved re-
quire, the President Of the United States deems
it necessary to assure himself Of the exact mean
ing OF the note OF the Imperial Chancellor
" Does the Imperial Chancellor mean that
the imperial German government accepts the
terms laid down by the President in his address
to the Congress Of the United States on the 9Th
of January last, and in subsequent addresses,
and that its object in entering into discussions
would be only to agree upon the practical de-
tails OF their application?
" The President feels bound to say with re-
gard to the suggestion Of an armistice that he
would not feel at liberty to propose cessation
OF arms to the governments with which the gov
eminent OF the United States is associated
against the central powers so long as the armies
OF those powers are upon their soil.
" The good faith of any discussion would
manifestly depend upon the consent Of the cen
trail powers Immediately to withdraw their
forces everywhere from invaded territory
" The President also feels that he is justified
in asking whether the Imperial Chancellor is
speaking merely for the constituted authorities
OF the empire, who have so far conducted the
war.
:" He deems the answer to these questions
vital from every point Of view
Accept, sir, the renewed assurance Of my
high consideration
"ROBERT LANSING"
1t will thus be seen that President Wilson, in
his reply does not refuse to entertain peace pro-
posals, but leaves the door wide open 1t will
also be observed that he has met Germanys
peace note with move which will show to the
world whether the kaiser is really willing to
give up all thought of conquest in the present
war and whether he is ready to disband his
armies and make sacrifices in the interests of
peace
1t is believed that the German armies on the
western front are facing either disastrous re-
treat or surrender, unless peace comes, and that
the German emperor is holding out for the best
terms possible In all probability this pro-
posal is the beginning Of most important devel-
opments, and Germany will eventually make a
peace offer worth considering.
That the world is now witnessing the begin
ming Of the final breaking-up Of Germany $ mill
tary resistance cannot be doubted. Just how
rapidly developments will take place. no one
can tell While unrest is growing in Germany,
statesmen skeptical Of the success of any
revolutionary movement in the central empire
However, the depression and the hopelessness of
the German people are becoming more evident
daily Ever since the Germans were hurled
back from the Marine, following their great Of
fensive last Spring. it has become apparent that
even war Of defense would be hopeless, costly
struggle, with her last reserves in man power
wearing down and America pouring her vast
resources into the conflict.
That the kaiser, facing the hopelessness of the
situation; is at last ready to renounce his idea
of conquest, is the general opinion. This is
shown in his naming Of Prince Macmillan of
Baden to the post of imperial German chancel-
lor to succeed Count Won Hertling who resigned
a few days ago.
Prince Maximilian although belonging to the
German peerage, is described as a practical man
OF affairs James W. Gerard former ambas-
sador to Germany, in referring to him says:
Prince Macmillan is a man who knows
English perfectly and is one Of the high Ger
mans who seem to be able to think and believe
like ordinary human being He is man of
most charming appearance and manner, and in
dulgent OF the views of other countries and
other civilizations, which no other German that
| ever met, occupying an official position, was
''The putting forward of a man of Prince
Macmillan s personality and views in the posi-
ton of chancellor, to my mind, means a very
definite attempt to seek peace and abandonment
of the pan-G German policy, because Prince Max
imilian is opposed to this insane idea Of pan
Germanism, of world conquest