Great Falls tribune., 1921-10-29

say for the group OF armies OF th'
German crown prince and Of thu
crown prince Of Bavaria, $50 divisions
in all that have only zone of d
kilometers in width through which t.
withdraw Finally the morale is low
July! The great general staff says il
is the fault of the government which
has not the interior well in hand. The
government is right in replying that il
is rather the fault of events.
The generals have demanded the
armistice, the ministers take them a
their word because they believe witt
Won Lersner that "the invasion of Ger
man territory is only Il matter OF
weeks or at most Of a few months.
Invasion: A word that for a hundred
years Germany has been wont to apply
only to its adversaries. 1t becomes
the obsession of the government
Capitulation on terms to be fixed by
the victors alone in accordance with
President Wilson's decision. Or in
vasion with the sole resources of q
levee en- masse peculiarly problemati-
cal in a country that has already called
fourteen million men to the colors
But there is no other alternative. The
ministers make their choice. They
will capitulate.
Wilson Means Business.
After a week of consideration. OF
hesitation, of exchanges with the great
general staff on which they are deter
mined to pin thu initial responsibility
the ministers are to reply on Oct p to
the American note of the 18th. This
time there can be no playing on words,
no talk of negotiation, for it is only a
question Of submission. Evacuation Of
occupied territory? The demand is
accepted. Armistice? Germany recog-
nizes that it's terms must be left to the
appreciation of the competent military
authorities. Illegal acts committed by
the German forces? These are de-
structions necessary in retreat and
permitted by international law: strict
instructions will nevertheless be given
that private property shall be respect
ed. Torpedoings? Not deliberate: or
ders. however. have been sent to the
commanders to spare passenger ships.
Suppression Of the arbitrary power?
1t is already accomplished; the cabinet
is responsible to parliament; constltu-
ton will be revised; the government is
free from any military or irresponsible
influence. This time Germany. bound
hand and foot. is riveted to Wilsonian
dialcctics Since she does not break.
she gives herself up. The president
takes good note thereof on Oct. 70 in
announcing that having received all
the undertakings demanded in his pre-
ceding messages. he has Informed his
associates. And once again, so that
there can be no doubt, he repeats the
fundamental condition from which Ger
many cannot escape.
1.-The armistice will be concluded
only if the military advisers of the al
,ny,fc
it possible from the military point Of
view
2.-Thc only armisticc which can be
suggested to the associated govern
ments will be an armistice that will
render impossible (where are the Ger
man hopes Of the beginning Of Octo-
ber?) any resumption of hostilities by
Germany and leave the associated pow
ers in a position to enforce any ar
rangements that may be entered into.
3.The peoples of the world have
and can have no confidence in the word
of those who have hitherto been the
masters of Germany. Nothing could
be gained by not stating these essen
tial conditions.
On October 81, Germany had admit
allied governments to fix the condi-
tons of their victory and the bases Of
their security.
On October %. President Wilson
who, since the fifth. has remained in
daily contact with the European gov
crnments and has given out his cor
rcspondence with Germany. day by day,
communicates this correspondence Of
ficially to his associates and asks them
two questions:
/. Regarding the peace and in view
of the assurances given by the chancel-
Tor. are the associated governments
ready to conclude peace on the terms
and according to the principles already
made public.
>. Regarding the armistice and if the
reply to the previous question is in the
affirmative ARE the associated govern
ments ready to ask their military !
advisers and the military advisers of /,
the United States to submit to them |
the necessary conditions which must be !
fulfilled by an armistice such as will |
protect absolutely the interests Of the |
people concerned and to assure to the |
associated governments unlimited pow
er to safeguard and impose the details
of the peace to which the German gov
ernment has consented. provided always
that the military advisers consider such
an armistice possible from military
point of view.
Clearly Defined
] do not believe that ever problem
was more clearly defined.
First the question of principle-do
the commanding generals believe that
from military point Of view hos
tilities can be suspended, or do they
believe on the contrary that they
should be continued!
Second, the question Of execution.
# the armistice is possible and de-
sirable, what are the conditions neces-
sary to prevent Germany from be-
ginning the war again and to permit
The Allies to impose their terms Of
peace?
1t is to the military authorities that
Mr.. Wilson asks that these two 1ncs-
ions shall be submitted. 1t is to them
hat he entrusts in this matter the
sovereign rights Of the governments.
v. Clemenceau is, on this point. IN
complete agreement with the presi-
lent Of thu United States. To stop the
lostaities otherwise than on tie ex-!
,ress advice and in the manner fired