The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1918-10-22
GERMAN PEACE NOTE
HANDLED CAUTIOUSLY
Continued rom page -

SO bad that there can now be no Ques-
ton that she is making sincere
drive for peace.
From the president down, all are
satisfied to leave in the HANDS Vi
Foch adjustment of any arms uce,
Under the conditions Tor TINS laiu
down by President Wilson, Foch is
able to calculate the comparative al
yantages of ceasing or continuing 70
Aght. His will be the problem OF de-
ter,niniue whether the chance or max
ing a big bag of the Germans retreat
inc to their frontier warrants con-
timed pressure by the allies, or
whether. IL the German army can
withdraw with comparatively Sinai
losses, an armistfce is advisable no"
to save human lives.
That the Germans are preparing not
only for complete withdrawal, Dut ac-
tual rehabilitation of the armies -
indicated in dispatch to this govern
ment today from Copenhagen WHICH
announced that reliable newspapers
there printed German dispatches tha.
German railroads have been asked W
prepare 70 a rehabilitation order.
Other dispatches show that Ger
many has been prepared for some
time to go far toward peace ana mas
for some weeks known the hopeless
ness OF her dreams OF victory ana con-
ouest. One Of these received through
official channels from Copenhagen
quotes information direct from reif-
able sources in Berlin which said:
"Ludendorff admitted the game Is
lost and sent a telegram to the kaiser
the latter part of September saying
he could not hold the west front long
or than fourteen days. Ludendorfr mas
lost his nerve and can no longer sleep
WE'LL
Diplomatic comment, while guarded
was practically agreed that Germany
had pocketed her pride in the latest
note. But some expressed the view
that her extreme humility looked sus-
picious and that if Germany were
actually In the dire straits which such
n note might indicate, she would never
admit it to the allies.
Entente military men also pointed
to the fact that Germany Is conduct
ing her retirement without great loss
es in men and supplies and in perfect
order. They doubt II her military SIT
nation is go weak as is generally sup
posed-although the fact that the al
lied strength grows daily while the
German army diminishes, probably
PLAYS a part in prompting the present
desperate attempt for an early peace
Austria's imminent collapse was
pointed to as another factor which Is
prompting the German move for an
earIy peace. Morale which IS grow
Tag weaker IN Germany would receive
. serious blow in the event OF an
Austrian detection, Diplomats say.
While admitting the conciltatory
tsner of the German note, entente dip
Iouasts are not inclined to welcome
an armistice without ironbonnd qua
rzatees dictated by allied military
REPRESENTATIVES at Versailles. AlAed
diplomats are eager that the war
should end al an early date-but only
on terms which amount 10 German
surrender. either forced by more
fighting or agreed TO through an
arTnfstice. They do not welcome or
seriously consider any armstce pro-
posal which infhcts less stern terms
upon Germauy's military establish
ment
AS to the alleged constitutional
changes pointed TO by Solf In his note
of yesterday, diplomats are skeptical.
That Germany is on the road to real
political reform Is not doubted, but
time must elapse before permanent
changes are effected In the constitu-
ton, il Is said
Neutral diplomats, while naturally
not speaking for publication, express
the view that Germany is sincerely
DESTROYS of peace They expect the
allies to follow President Wilson's
lead in meeting the present peace Of
~ a. A1
now up to President Wilson to either
recommend to the allies that an arrnis-
tice be considered or rejected, they
say. They do not believe he will go
much further without bringing the al
lies in, pointing out that thus far the
interchange has been confined entire
ly to Berlin and Washington.
1t Is possible that President Wilson
will ask the allied military com.
manders for statement as to the adj
visibility of an armistice and as to
what terms they think desirable from
the allied point Of view. Such move
would lend to create a greater allied
unity in the political strategy of the
war toward which President Wilson
is now making determined efforts be-
hind the scenes.
Senator Hitchcock, chairman of the
foreign relations committee, declared
he believed the note was an accept
ance of President Wilson's terms
However, Hitchcock did not think it
would result Immediately in an arm
tstice as he expects General Foch to
demand such hard terms that Ger
many will delay negotiations. AS for
the changes in the German constitu-
ton, the foreign relations chairman
felt the Germans had met the presi-
dents requiem ents.
Senator McCumber characterized
the answer as "camouf1ase."
Senator Borah called Solf liar,
exclaiming:
SsThey don't know what free gov
eminent is"
Senator Lodge, republican leader
withheld comment pending closer
study of the German note.
Senator Thomas said the president
should refer Germany to Foch for
further negotiations. He felt Ger