The daily banner. (Cambridge, Md.) 1897-2008, 1918-09-18
BACK WILSON'S
PEACE REPLY
Both Parties in Congress In
dOrSe Action.
ANSWER SENT TO AUSTRIA
Leaders Praise the Prompt Exposure
of Teuton Trick-OnIy One Kind of
Peace Possible

Washington, Sept. 1S.-PreSident
Wilson'S prompt and complete rejec
ton of the Austrian peace eyprtureS
was given strong and eloquent in
AorSement in both houses of congress
by leadc"S of both parties.
In the senate, Senator Lodge spoke
as The Republican leader in approval
of the presidents action and asserted
the absolute determination of the
American people TO continue the war
until Germany, completely beaten. is
compelled TO accept the terms that
the victors may dictate.
Senator Thomas from the Demo
cratic side, declared that the Demo
Gratis are in complete agreement with
everything said by Senator Lodge.
Over in the hou.a, Representatives
Kahn and FOrdney. Republicans.
spoke strongly in support of the p0-
sition taken by the president. thar no
peace negotiations are possible until
the Teuronic powers have been cont
PEELED to accept the entire program OF
the United States and the allies.
The only effect the Austrian note
has had has been TO SOlidify both par
flies in opposition to any weakening
by the government until the great
task of forcing Germany Ia her
knees has been effectively performed
To this extent it has dcnr good 20
the allied cause. The man who would
now suggest there could be termin
alton of the war before a decision has
been reached would be denounced as
diSloyal. Negotiated peace, if it We're
ever a possibility. has become impoS-
Sible
There could be no manifestation of
weakness in the government which
would not he cause of instant alarm
upon the part of the general public
and arouse resentment which could
never be overcome.
1t can also be said, therefore. that
the president could not have acted
otherwise than he did, and this, too,
is good result Of the Austrian COM
munication, because it demonstrates
tudt Tic udtioh 10 CoHlIoIIeu ny Illt
intelligent patriotic spirit of the peo-
pie themselves.
Secretary Lansing sent to the Swed
iSh minister the note authorized by
President Wilson fatty rejecting in
two short sentences the proposal of
the Austro- Hungarian government for
secret and non-binding peace discus
siOns. 1t was started on the cables at
once for transmission to Vienna by
the foreign Office at Stockholm.
The presidents action-including
the precedent-setting brevity of the
reply and the promptness with which
it was delivered-drew expressions of
approval during the day everywhere in
Washington, at the capitol, among of
ffSseiass and throughout the allied diplo-
matte corps. Similar responses from
the other nations at war with Ger
many are expected to follow quickly.
1t has been suggested that, denied
unlimited fields of secret discussion of
war issues, Austria may attempt Il
cup by asserting TO a restriction OF
he discussion to the principles laid
iown by President Wilson as the only
possible basis of peace
1t was said authoritatiyely that
such a proposition undoubtedly would
he accepted. But this statement was
by a significant remind
AZ of conditions which must be met
preliminary to any such discussion.
These are that the central powers
must withdraw completely from ali
occupied territory in France and Be.
GUM, Italy, Russia and Servia. The
Germans must drop the subtefuge of
the Brest-Litovsk treaty, made by
Germany with Russian agents, hired
10 betray their country They must
'oosen their hold upon the wheat
fields of Ukrainia and the oil wells of
Sarvia and Russia, and all of this
must be done before America would
consent to talk Of peace, even upon
the basis of the presidents stipula-
ion.