The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-10-07
Senate Has Hot Discussion
Over Attitude of Hun.
London Demands No Armistice
without Evacuation.
NO SUSPENSION OF HOSTILITIES
Would Give the Hun Time To
Get His Breath.
Germany Wants Long Debate,
Says One Senator.

washington OCT. Tine united
States congress, which must ratify the
treaty of peace with the central pow
ers when it is made, issued to the
American people today definite assur-
ance that this government will not for
an instant seriously consider the Aus
trian-German armistice proposal.
Democratic and Republican leaders
Joined in the most decided statement,
declaring unthinkable "a compromise
with the enemy and urged only ac-
ceptance of the terms laid down by
President Wilson.
Washington, Oct. 7.-America's
temper toward a made-in- Germany
peace was clearly reflected today in
pouring into the capital to senators
and congressman.
BY actual count less than one fifth
of one per cent of the messages even
suggested serious consideration of the
"Austro-German plea" The voice of
the nation, as heard in congress, is
practically unanimous against any
parley with the foe until he has been
smashed into helplesspess.
Washington, Oct. 7.-America will
fight until victory is clinched''
This indication of the governments
attitude toward peace was given by
the treasury in a statement issued by
Secretary McAdoo, urging greater ef-
forts to make the liberty loan a sue
cess.
Washington, Oct. 7-Indications
late this afternoon were that there
would be no reply to Austria and Ger
many before tomorrow at the earliest
No definite announcement was forth
coming as to whether the allies would
be consulted in advance of the dis
patch of the answer
London, Oct. mo armistice will
be granted the central powers be-
fore the complete evacuation by them
of allied territory, with a cessation of
the destruction and burning of allied
cities. This is the personal opinion
of foreign diplomatists of the highest
rank here who have been questioned
concerning the peace speech of the
German imperial chancellor, Prince
Maximilian of Baden.
Senate Discusses Move.
Washington, Oct. 7-Discussing
Germanys peace offer in the senate
today Senator Hitchcock, of Nebraska,
chairman of the foreign relations COM
mittee, declared absolutely abhor-
ent" even a thought of suspension of
hostilitieS now, and recommended the
addition to the principles previously
laid down by the president as a basis
for peace, one providing that the allies
would deal only with real representa-
tives of the German people.
Republican Leader Lodge, ranking
minority member of the foreign rela-
tions committee, declared that an
armistice would mean the loss of the
war and all we have fought for
Germany, he said, now merely pro-
poses a long debate on the basis of
peace The only future course, Sena-
tor Lodge declared, is to secure a
complete military victory over Ger
many and force her to sue Tor peace
Senate Against 1t.
Discussion of Germany's peace Of
fer began in the senate soon after to-
DAVIS session convened. Senator
Poindexter of Washington. Republi-
can declared the proposal for an
arrnistice a most insidious danger.
When Senator. Poindexter said that
an armistice would mean the end or
all military action and, if accompan-
led only by enemy evacuation OF Bel
gium and France, would be victory
for Germany. Senator Hitchcock OF
Nebraska, chairman of the foreign re-
lations committee, earnestly pointed
out that the German offer also pro-
vides for acceptance of the fourteen
terms laid down by the president in
his address of January s.
Acceptance of Germany's offer only
upon evacuation of Belgium and
France, Senator Hitchcock said, would
be preposterous.- but he declared res
toration of Alsace Lorraine to France,
as well as reparation for Belgium and
France, are among the presidents
terms which Germany proposes to ae-
cept.
Senator Poindexter said the senate
foreign relations committee should
seek consulta ton on any negotiations
entered into by the government and
that the country should be warned
against the insidiousness of published
suggestions that an armistice should
be agreed to upon withdrawal of Ger
many from occupied territory.
Senator McCumber, of North
Dakota, announced that he had pre-
pared resolution designed to insure