The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-10-09


inquiry. The President demands that
the German Government should come
out in the open and be entirely frank
as to their Intentions and PURPOSES"
Senator Penrose tPa.) said: Until
the territory occupied by Germany has
been entirely evacuated there can be
no discussion OF peace. Even when
that is done there are many other Inn
portant prellminaries that must pre-
cede actual peace negotiations"
Senator simmons's On. C.) views
were expressed. thus: Il think that II
about the only way he could deal with,
that matter. He 10 entirely right in
saying we cannot deal with. them at all
until they evacuate the territory they
have overrun. especially that belonring
TO the Allies. think Il is pertinent to
ask II the fourteen principles laid down
by the President are accepted, / think
he also u right In demanding q definite
statement as to whether Macmillan
speaks for the German Government or
tbs German people" "''
Senator Reed MOI justified the Pres
dents course In interrogating the Prus-
sian Chancellor. He remarked: AS
interpret the Presidents answer the Ian
guage although polite and diplomatic
really amounts to three demands.
uneauivocally accept ali OF the condi-
tone heretofore laid down by the Pres
ident. leaving nothing to discuss except
their mere practical application.
That the President must be assured
that the Imperial German Chancellor IL
speaking not only for the German au-
thorities responsible for bringing on. the
war. but that he also represents and
speaks for tho people Of Germany. That
10 % say. n understand the President,
he insists as he did in his address Of
September q that those who speak for
Germany In making treaties must repre-
SAINT some other element than those who
have heretofore violated and dlsregarded
tho treaties.
ct understand the President to de-
mand as a condition precedent 20 any
armistice whatever that the Teutonic
Powers must withdraw absolutely from
every foot OF territory that they now
hold by conquest. I wish he might have
added a. a preliminary to any negotia-
,tinns q demand for q complete military
surrender of the Teutonic Powers, in
GLIDING OF course Turkey.
IT was unwilling for this war 20 be-
gin. I am unwilling that II should end
until fun reparation Is made acd those
responsible for It's great crimes and
cruelties arc brought TO punishment. I
fear this will not be accomplished unless
Germany shall be compelled to lay down
her arms. She will not lay down her
arms until our men arc upon her soil.
Tho result desired win not be accom-
piished by diplomacy. but by armies In
the field"
Senator Gore (okia) said THE pres
ont question a. to whether or not the
Imperial German Government means by
n n IA
| laid down by the President or merely to
| discuss them as a basis Of peace sup
pose has occurred to every one. 1t had
| occurred to me and an answer 10 nee
1 essary before we can pass Judgment
| upon this proposal
"If Germany agrees TO accept all the
| terms laid down by the President and
does not propose a mere pariey con-
corning them. this country would be COM
mitted. at least 30. far as the action and
authority OF the President alone binds
and commits the people as Government
and a nation. s-"
Hopes for Fall Of Thrones.
| II had hoped that somehow as q resul,
of this war the thrones of the Hapsburgs
and HohenHollerns would be vacated and
their history concluded and the people
Of their respective countries entrusted
1
Germany refused TO treat with the ac.
credited representatives of the French
Empire and insisted upon the people
choosing their own representatives Il
conduct the negotiations. In this Ger.
many esta bllshed a precedent which Il
might be we'll 20 commend to her OBJ
| servance."
Senator Fletcher (FTa). one of The
Presidents standbys. said II had ex
peeted something along the line OF tn,
reply to Austria-Hungary. But psehHpl
the President is right. He probably II
aiming to keep the record straight ant
clear the air SO there can be no possibl,
misunderstanding. But do not believ,
he will get any very satisfactory answer
from Germany. I do not believe tina
they are sincere: their whole idea is I,
split the Allies II they can, gain della,
and get their breath. An armistice now
believe. would be great mistake
We ought not to deal with German
until she accepts our terms and lay
down her arms in complete surrender
| Withdrawal Not Sufficient.
Senator Shields (Tenn.) said:
AN armistice even with the German
armies withdrawn from all invaded ter
ritory Is inadequate. We must make n,
peace with Germany until We hav,
forced her to an absolute surrender
The American Government and it's al
lies have expended too many lives an,
too much treasure to accept anythinI
less"
Senator Thomas (Col) said. 81 thinl
the Presidents requests are evidence O
the very highest statesman ship in tn,
circumstances Experience has show
many times that German diplomacy 4
tricky and deceptive. and that Germa,
faith IA consistent only with German
self-interest. The Chancellor I'D to thi
time has proposed nothing beyond a de
sire to use the Presidents terms as .
basis for negotiation. Nothing in hi
speech indicates anything more.
The President as a matter of cours
cannot. either for this country or tn
Allies. speak definitely and finally to tn
proposal OF such an adversary until 1t
antiquities and indirectIons are re
moved. Hence his tnsistence that tn
Chancellor shall say plainly for whom
he Is speaking and whether he unoondi
tionally accepts the Presidents terms o
peace as the official representative Of tn
German people and the German EN-
peror.
These are plain questions and do no
admit of any possible evasion. TIL
President at the same time clearly init
mates that there 10 to be no cessatio
, Of hostilities. whatever the answer. s
, long as the armies OF the Central Power
are upon the soil Of our allies.
The Chancellor therefore cannot
whatever his reply may be. thereafte
complain that 1t was made under a mis-
| a