OCR Text |
Show L'JILSOn REJECTS GERMAN OFFER Washington. President Wilson has Informed the government of Uermuny that before the United States can discuss dis-cuss an armistice, German troops must be withdrawn from hH Invaded territory. terri-tory. - The present's answer to the Ger- man chuncellor's note of October 0 was sent by Secretary Lansing Tuesday afternoon, Octobar 8, aud was as follows;. fol-lows;. - - - . - . i "Sir: I have the honor to acknowl-edge, acknowl-edge, on behalf of the president your note of October 6, Inclosing the communication com-munication from the German government govern-ment to the president; and I anrln-Btructed anrln-Btructed by the president to request you to make the following communication communi-cation to the Imperial German chancellor: chan-cellor: ' , " ' 'Before making reply to the request , of the Imperial German government and In order that that reply ahull be candid and straightforward, '. as the momentous Interests Involved require, the president of the United States tleems It necessary to. assure himself f the exact meaning of the note of th lmperlul chancellor. Does the Imperial Im-perial chancellor mean that the Imperial Imper-ial German government accepts the terms laid down by the-president in his address to the congress of the United States on the 8th of January iast, and in subsequent addresses and that Its object In entering Into discussions discus-sions would be only to agree upon the practical details of their oppllcotlon? "The president feels bound to say with regard to the suggestion of an armistice that he would not feel at liberty to propone a cessation of arms to the governments with which the government of the United States Is associated against the central powers so long as the armies of those powers are upon their soil. The good faith of any discussion would manifestly depend de-pend upon the consent of the central powers Immediately to withdraw th' lr forces everywhere from Invaded territory. terri-tory. J'The president also feels that he Is Justified In asking whether the Imperial Im-perial chancellor Is speaking merely for the constituted authorities of the empire who have so far conducted the war. lie deems the -answer to these questions vital from every point of view.". The German Proposal. The communication from the German government to the president of the United States as transmitted by the charge d'affaires A. I. of Switzerland, 'on October fl, was as follows;. "The (Jet-man government requests the president of the United States of America to take steps for the restoration restora-tion of pence, to notify all belligerents of this request, nnd to Invite them to delegate plenipotentiaries for (he purpose pur-pose of taking up negotiations. The German government accepts ns a bad for the peace negotiations the program iald down by the president of the T'ifited States In his message- to congress con-gress on January 8, IMS, and In his subsequent pronouncements, partlcu larly in his address of September 27. 101S. In order to avoid further blood shed, the German government requests to bring ubout the- Immediate conclusion con-clusion of a general armistice on bind, on water and Iri the air. "MAX, Prince of Baden, "Imperial Chancellor." Diplomacy of President Among diplomats here the president's presi-dent's eonifnunlc'.tlon Is regarded at one of his master strokes. It is pointed point-ed out that, upon cursory examination, examina-tion, It may not show such strong terms as some may hnve desired. All the president's advisers, however, are confident that us close consideration reveals its full import, It will be apparent ap-parent that it H a king step forward if Germany really means pence, and tti.tt If she does not It will titrlp barf another hyjiroerlsy of German diplo-tnacy diplo-tnacy m coniplotely Hint the respoiml- , hillty f'r jiroloiiKlng the wnr never '.';!i be (hittv-'r! to Che .'i!it , even by ' il.- n.-iir,n peoo Uti-iojielves. |