Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1918-10-25
No Farley With PTuSSianiSm,
President Wilson Declares

There is no mistaking the iron import of the
Presidents latest utterance concerning an armi-
stice II lighting is to Germany must lay down
arms while Allied supremacy in the field remains
unimpaired. Moreover, if Germany expects to be
dealt with save by dictation of the sword she must
dispIace her autocrats with rulers truly responsible
10 the rank and file Of her people. AS the only
basis on which q truce could be safely considered
and on which Just and stable peace can be estao-
Iished these conditions commend themselves TO the
whoIehearted approval of the American public and
also we may assume of the Entente Allies.
With keen foresight and circumspectness the
President has brought the existing authorities at
Berlin step by step to point where they must show
uneduivOcally whether they are indeed ready 10
accept the terms and give the guarantees Wnlcn
American and Allied craftsmanship has prescribed,
or are merely playing for political and military
ADVANTAGE Their sincerity in processing to accept
those terms be tested and proved by the guar
antees which they prepared to make Hence
the Presidents emphatic stipulation that the only
armistice he would feel warranted IN submitting
for consideration would be one which would leate
the United States and the Powers associated with
her in position TO enforce any arrangements that
NAV be entered into and TO make a renewal OF hos
tilities on the part of Germany impossible" This
can mean nothing less than the virtual demobliza-
ton of the German armies and the establishment
of Allied forces at such strategic points as Strass-
burg, Metz and others on which the enforcement OF
terms might depend.
Besides ample military guarantees, the Presi-
dent requires indubitable evidence that the Grim
fnaI autOcracy which has constituted Germany's
It is not yet apparent that the reforms described
by the present Spokesman at Berlin have been made
operative or assured of permanence. Indeed, it
is plain that as far the present war is con-
cerned the German people have no means of COM
handing the acquiescence of the military author
tiles of the Empire in the popular viii; but that
'sthe power Of the King of Prussia to control the
policy OF the Empire is unimpaired; that the de-
termfning initiative still remains with those who
hitherto have been the masters of Germany" And
the word OF those masters being altogether un-
trustworthy, the United States cannot deal with
any but veritable representatives of the German
people who have been assured of a genuine Con-
stitutiOnaI standing the real rulers of Germany
The HohenzOlIerns and the German public alike,
we dare say, will grasp the significance of that
declaration
Particularly assuring is the Presidents state
ment to the effect that whatever is done
part in regard 10 an armistice viii be determined
by the military advisers of the United States and
Of the Allies To those authorities who in the
field and most competent to gauge military
interests present and future, will be left the de-
cision as to whether from the standpoint of those
interests an aTmistice is possible advisable
Thus we shall proceed in the light Of expert mil
itary judgment and in hearty accord with our Al
lies The Presidents treatment of the matter
firms the country's confidence in his wisdom and
acumen-