New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1918-10-13
German Cities for
Security, Idea of
Senator Hitchcock
Either This or Surrender of
Warships Urged as
Guarantee
Trickery Is Feared
u. S. Put in Unpleasant Posi-
ton, Is View of Sena-
tor McCumber


WARRINGTON, Oct. 12-"I don't
think for moment" said Senator
Hitchcock, chairman Of the Senate !
Foreign Relations Committee, tonight, I
chat we or the Allies could accept the
proposal for an armixtiee without
cxactlns severe conditions and stipu-
latlons. There would. Of course, have
to be certain guarantees. For instance,
Germany might be compelled, before
we agree to stop the victorious onrush
Of our armies toward Germany, to per
nit the occupation Of several German
cities by Allied troops, 80 that there
would be no possibility Of her merely
gaining time. for a fresh defensive by
| these peace discussions.
We might also compel her TO SUP
render part Of her war feet. It must
| be recalled that it is not customary
for the victor on the field Of battle to
begin peace discussions without some
guarantee that the advantage they pos
sess on the field Of battle Is not to be
| lost.
~ think, however, that the German
rote means q considerable advance tow
ard peace. 1t .is vindication Of the
wisdom Of the Presidents course in
directing his inquiry to Count Maxi
milan. Certainly there would have to
be clear and definite Interpretation
OF the fourteen conditions laid down
by the President. Then, while the
answer 70 President Wilson purports to
show that it came from the representa-
tives of the German people, we would
have the right to insist that the powers
placed temporarily in the hands Of
those representatives should be made
permanent before agreeing to any ar
mlstice on the strength Of conditions
made by them. For, OF course, the
Kaiser could next week remove them
from all power whatsoever. There
must be q permanent change in the
constitution of Germany before any
armistice is granted
1T should also be clear that we must
go right on with the fighting and the
raising of money as though no negotia-
lions were under way"
Ihls Is the only reply the German
government could and would make, !"
SAID Senator McCumber, Of oNrth Da-
kota, member of the Foreign Rela-
tions Committee. at appears to me
II puts our government in an uupleas-
ant position. We cant afford to allow
any cessation of hostilities and allow
the herman army to retire, unbroken.
into German territory That would
give them renewed strength and at the
same time make it much more difficult
tor the Allies if they are compelled to
resume the offensive afterwards.
1.-The great trouble with the accent
ance OF the; Presidents address. leaving
the details to be scttIed, is that the
details are the whole question. Again.
there ls not a word in the address of
January 8, or any subsequent address
which demands PREPARATION.
"All of the Allies. especially France
and England, through Clemenceau and
Lloyd George, have declared again and
again that the terms of peace must
contain both restitution and reparation
Certainly the Allies, who fought this
worlds battle for world democracy and
world justice for three years before
We got into it, and who have suffered
ten times what we have for cause
we have declared again and again to
be our cause, cannot be abandoned bv
this country on the very eve of vic
tory"
Senator Lodge, OF Massachusetts,.
Republican leader Of the Senate, de-
cllned to comment on the German re-
ply. In statement issued when Pres,-
dent Wilson sent his communication of
inquiry to the German government
Senator Lodge expressed himself as
Nkeenly disappointed that the President
should at this stage enter into dis
cussion with the imperial German gov
eminent"