Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-10-09
Its Craftsmanship, Patriot
ism and Humanitarianism
Il. Strongly Praised.
EVENTS OVERSEAS SOON
MAY JUSTIFY COURSE
No Debate" Opened With Enemy.
q. S. Left Free to Act as Fu-
ture May Demand.
By N. o. MESSENGER.

By N. O. MESSENGER.
One hundred per cent world states
tnanship, patriotism and humanitarian
fsm.
This is the appraisal by the over
whelming majority opinion, expressed
in all quarters, of President Wilson's
communication to the German chan
ceIlor. 1t is voiced by plain citizens
in the streets, in diplomatic and Off
cial circles, and concurred in by the
editorial expressions of leading jour
mails from coast to coast.
Allied Representatives Agree.
There is highest official authority
for the statement that the Presidents
questions addressed to Prince Maxi
milan meet the entire approval of
representatives in Washington of the
allied governments. The diplomats of
the overseas nations were quick to
grasp the tremendous significance of
the Presidents words and the possible
consequences of his stand. There need
be no apprehension of lack of entire
agreement among the allies in sup
port of the President.
The prediction is confidently made
in official quarters that as the Presi-
dents language Is studied. in con-
nection with consideration of the
terms to which he makes reference,
the public will appreciate more and
more the force of the executives COM
municatiol to the enemy.
Events Expected to Justify Course.
Furthermore. 1t is regarded by dip
lomats and by officials az certain that
the near future will bring events on
the other side of the water. growing
out of the position taken by President
Wilson. which will justify the wisdom
of his course. These predicted occur
rences are held to be inevitable and
will, it is claimed, make irresis:ibly
for the final accomplishment of the
ends for which the allies are laboring.
The craftsmanship of the Presi-
dents communication is held to con-
sist in the fact that he has placed the
onus OF securing peace upon Germany,
by requiring the chancellor of that
nation to state in explicit language
whether Germany is willing to agree
to the terms of the United States
heretofore set out or is only prepared
to discuss them.
The patriotism of the note is found
in the Presidents insistence that
military measures must continue una
bated until practically unconditional
surrender is yielded by the enemy.
The President would have the allies
WELD the sword unremittingly while
the military situation demands it.
Peace Appeals Not Barred.
The humanitarianism of the mes
sage to Maximilian obtains in the
fact that the President does not bar
the door to appeals for peace. He
does not threaten ruthleSsly and re-
lentlesSly to pursue Germany to her
utter destruction. On the contrary,
his words invite the enemy to realiZa-
ton of the proper course to pursue to
obtain genuine peace.
Strategic Value of Reply.
It can be stated with authority that
the great strategic value of the Pres
idents note is held to rest in the
fact that the language he uses and the
method he has pursued leaves this
government free to act in the future
as circumstances may dictate.
1t is believed that when the Presi-
dent receives the reply of the Ger
man government to his inquiries of
yesterday. he will assess the facts and
go before Congress with a report of
them and his views upon their value
and bearing.
laid upon the injunction, coming from
highest official sources. to read the
language of the Presidents inquiries
in connection with the fourteen terms
of peace set forth in the message to
Congress last January.
Strong for Evacuation.
Especial attention must be paid to
what the President laid down as nee
essary for the Germans to do in the
evacuation of occupied territory in
Russia. Belgium. France. Poland. Ru-
mania, Serbia and the reorganization
of territorial lines in Italy and AL
sace-Lorraine. Attention must also
be paid to what he said in subsequent
addresses concerning peoples living
under autocratIc government.
IL is thought in official circles that
the President kept in mind in fol-
lowing the course pursued the state
of internal affairs in Austria-Hun-
gary. where. as is well known. disin-
tegration is in progress. The Presi-
dent has studiously avoided doing or
saying anything that would check
thoS pio1SSo anu pOSSlDly serve 10
solidify the disturbed national ele-
ments into a patriotic mass still loyal
to the alliance with Germany.
No 'Debate" Opened With Huns.
The criticism that the President NAV
have entered upon a debate" with
Germany is refuted in official and
diplomatic circles as absolutely un-
founded. He has not entered upon a
parley. 1t is conteHded. but has asked
Germany whether she accepts or not
che laid-down terms of peace.
Tho comment by diplomats and off,
Gals today on the Presidents note in
cluded the suggestion that he stripped
the hypocrisy from the attitude of the
German military leaders, who have
professed to yearn for peace, and
forced them henceforth to stand out
IN their true light of either genuinely
desiring peace or of using the offer of
foace for political purposes in Ger
many.
Hun Ruling Powers Discredited.
n Is well known to every one in
touch with the heads OF the American
government that absolutely no con-
ddence Is placed in the ruling powers
Of Germany. either as to their good
faith and intent in dealing with the
world or in fact in dealing with their
own people where question of su-
scontinued On Second Page.)