American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1918-10-15

very boats in which their passengers
and crews seek to make their way to
safety; and in their present enforced
withdrawal from Flanders and France
the German armies are pursuing a
course of wanton destruction, which
has always been regarded as in direct
violation of the rules and practices of
civilized warfare Cities and villages
if not destroyed. are being stripped Of
all they contain, not only, but often of
their very inhabitants. The nations
associated against Germany cannot
be expected to agree to a cessation of
arms while acts of inhumanity spoil
alton and desolation are being contin-
ued, which they justly look upon with
horror and with burning hearts.
1t is necessary, also, in order that
there may be no possibility of mis-
understanding, that the president
should very solemnly call the atten-
tion of the government of Germany to
the language and plain intent of one
Of the terms of peace which the Ger
man government has now accepted.
II is contained in the address of the
president delivered at Mount Vernon
on the 4th of July, last
1t is as follows: THE destruction
of every arbitrary power anywhere
that can separately, secretly and of
its single choice disturb the peace of
the world; or, if it cannot be present
ly destroyed, at least its reduction to
virtual impotency."
The power which has hitherto con-
trolled the German nation is of the
sort here described. It is within the
choice of the German nation to alter
it. The presidents words just quoted
naturally constitute a condition pre-
cedent to peace. if peace is to come
by the action of the German people
themselves. The president feels
bound to say that the whole process
of peace will, in his judgment, depend
upon the defniteness and the salts
factory character of the guarantees
which can be given in this fundament-
al matter. 1t is indispensable that
the governments associated against
Germany should know beyond a per-
adventure with whom they are deal
inc
The president will make a sepa-
rate reply to the royal and imperial
government of Austria-H Hungary
Accept. Sir. the renewed assurance
OF my high consideration.
| (Signed) ROBERT LANSING.
Mr.. Frederick Oederlin.
Charge d'affairs. ad interim, in charge
of German interests in the United
States
The above note was forwarded in
reply to the following. received Satur-
Il hxr xrrfr ~, to fL1 0-f
dents first note:
The text of the note follows:
"In reply to the questions of the
president of the United States of
America the German government here
by declares:
"The German government has ac-
cepted the terms laid down by Presi-
dent Wilson in his address of Janu-
airy eighth and in his subsequent ad-
dresses on the foundation of a perma-
nent peace of justice. Consequently,
its object in entering into discussions
would be only to agree upon practical
details of the application of these
terms.
"The German government believes
that the governments of the powers
associated with the government of the
United States also take the position
taken by President Wilson in his ad-
dress. The German government. for
the purpose of bringing about an arm
istice. declares itself ready to comply
with the propositions of the president
in regard to evacuation.
THE German government suggests
that the president may occasion the
meeting of a mixed commission for
making the necessary arrangements
concerning the evacuation. The pres
ent German government, which has
undertaken the responsibility for this
step towards peace. has been formed
by conferences and in agreement with
the great majority of the reichstag.
The chancellor, supported in all his
actions by the will of this majority.
speaks in the name of the German
government and of the German peo-
pie.
Berlin. October 12. nineteen hun
dred eighteen.
| (Signed):
"SOLF, state secretary of foreign
office"