“Autocracy Must Cease”

Gisborne Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 5001, 16 October 1918, Page 5

“Autocracy Must Cease”

President Wilsen’s Beply t® IHI™ Ohaneeller -Conditions That Should Precede an Armistice Allied Supremacy Must be Maintained Satisf&etori? Safeguards and fiuaran" tees Iterpend (United Pjehes Association— Ganyright.!

Australian and N.Z. Gable Association. (Received Oct. 15, 9.30 p.m.) WASHINGTON, Oct. 14. President Wilson’s reply is expected to go immediately to Germany. It states: — | An unqualified acceptance by the present German Government and the large majority of the Reichstag of the terms laid down by the President of the United States in his address td Congress on January 9,; 1918, andi subsequent addresses, jus-J tifies the President in making a] frank and direct statement as to his decision with regard to the German communications of October 8 and October 12. It must be thoroughly understood that the process of evacuation and the conditions of armistice are matters which must be left to the judg-' ment and advice of the military ad- j visers of the United States Govern-j ment. i

THE BRITISH VEfcWfr'uin i. STRONGEST GUARANTEES OR COMPLETE SURRENDER, Australian and N.Z. Gable Association. LONDON, October 14. It is understood regarding ’_the armistice proposal that the Allied Governments will, be-guided entirely by the commanders in the field. Newspapers and public men of all sorts demand tliat there be no armistice until the enemy has acknowledged defeat in the field, CONAN DOYLE WANTS MARCH INTO BERLIN. Tlie Lord' Mayor of London says that the German reply is utterly inadequate. Sir A. Conan Doyle says; that military entry into Berlin is absolutely necessary, or there will ho no permanent proof that German militarism is defeated' or punished. LONDON. October 14, Tlie Times, in a leader says: We may rest assured, that the American Government in fully conscious that Germany, in her present humiliation, must abido by the arbitration of force to which she appealed in her presumptuous pride four years ago. The general tone of press comment, is scepticism regarding Germany’s sincerity, and insistence on the strongest guarantees, or complete surrender. Tlie promptness of Germany’s reply is taken to indicate fears that Austria and Hungary are likely to follow Bulgaria’s example, and Germany desires to secure a basis of decision , permitting her to retain her hold on the Dual Empire. The Daily Telegraph says: The German army leadership nof merely asserted, hut pressed for the acceptance of President's Wilson’s conditions. Ludendorff, at the end of July, said: “All wo can do now is to carry on the defensive. We cannot maintain that.” Ever since then Ludendorff has continually impressed the Government with the necessity of a speedy peace.

The President feels it his duty to say that no armistice can be accepted by the United States Government which does not provide absolute satisfactory safeguards and guarantees of the maintenance of the present supremacy of the United States and her Allies in the field. Ho feels confident that he can safely assume that nothing but tins will also be the judgment and decision of the Allied Governments. The President also feels it his duty to say that neither the United States Government nor the Governments with which it is associated as belligerents will consent to consider an armistice so long as the armed forces of Germany continue the illegal and inhumane practices in. which they still persist. At the very time at which the German Government approached the United States with proposals for peace, its submarines were engaged in sinking passenger skips at sea, and not ships alone, but the very boats in which passengers and crew seek to make their way to safety. In the present enforced withdrawal from Flanders .and France tli e Gerjnan armies are pursuing a • course of destruction which has always been regarded as a direct violation of the rules and practices of civilised warfare. The cities and villages if not destroyed are stripped of everything they contain, and even the inhabitants.

AMERICAN STATESMENS VIEWS. HUNS NOTHING TO LOSE AND ALL TO GAIN. WAR SHOULD BE FINISHED BY FIGHTING MEN. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. WASHINGTON. Oct. 14. _ At Oyster Bay, Mr. Roosevelt issued the statement: “I regret that President Wilson- has entered into negotiations. We have announced that we will submit a negotiated peace. I earnestly hope that Mr. Wilson will send back word to Germany, stating that we demand unconditional surrender.” Mr. Roosevelt added: “In any future negotiations by Mr. Wilson, I trust he will remember that good faith demands that we act in accordance with the Allies, and that the war should be finished by the fighting men. Good faith also demands that there should he no confusion of the issues by even a partial return to the 'bad old days when conversation and note-writing was considered adequate action after the sinking of the Lusitania and kindred atrocities. I earnestly hope the Senate will emphatically" repudiate the so-called fourteen points and similar utterances of the President.” Mr. Roosevelt said that to begin negotiations after pronouncing that we would not submit to negotiate for peace is bad faith with ourselves and our Allies. If the negotiations are not repudiated our enemies would be able to repudiate America’s good faith.

The nations associated against Germany cannot be expected to agree to a cessation of arms while such acts of inhumanity,- spoliaton, and desolation are being continued, which they justly look upon with burning hearts.

The President’s words are that autocracy must cease and must constitute a condition precedent to peace if peace is to come by the action of the German Government itself.

The President feels hound to say that the whole process of peace will depend, .in his judgment, upon the definiteness and the satisfactory character of the guarantees which can be given. In this fundamental matter it is indispensable that the Governments associated against Germany should know beyond peradventiire with whom they are dealing.” (Received Oct. 15, 11.10 p.m.) WASHINGTON, Oct. 14. The Government has decided that no armistice shall be granted, and the despatch of troops overseas continues. President Wilson will make a separate reply to Austria. NEW 7 YORK, Oct. 14.

Mr. Taft, interviewed concerning Germany’s answer, said: “Should our confreres at the peace council not agree to a practical interpretation of the President’s fourteen principles, Germany and Austria would withdraw with the lines of defence strengthened, in a better condition to continue hostilities. It is asked: ‘ls Germany sincere?’ Assuredly she has nothing to lose and all to gain by tlie acceptance of her proposition. Otherwise she faces unconditional surrender, which our people and the peoples of all the Allied countries demand.” Some Congressmen suggest, as a guarantee of good faith, that Germany give the Allies as hostages Metz, Essen, and Heligoland, and also recall the submarines and place them under an Allied guard. They urge that if the Reichstag is the representative of the people it should arrest tlie Kaiser, Crown Prince, Hindenburg, and Ludendorff and try them for their crimes, and hand them over to the Allies. STATEMENT BY MR. MASSEY. HUNS MUST BE SMASHED OR UNCONDITIONALLY SURRENDER. FLEET TAKEN AND ARMY DEMOBILISED. Press Association Telegram. WELLINGTON, Oct. 15. At a largely attended civic reception given to Mr. Massey and Sir Joseph Ward this afternoon, the Mayor presiding, Mr. Massey said lie was glad to be able to say officially that an armistice would not be granted. (Applause.) The Allies were up against an enemy whom they could not trust. They must go on till Germany was _ smashed or there was an unconditional surrender to the Allied Powers. The German fleet must be taken away and tho Gorman army demobilised. _ Sir Joseph Ward said when the disarmament took place after the war there would be a great mpvement to bring tho distant dominions and heart of the Empire closer together. But for strength and solidarity of the British the war could not have lasted twelve months. After the war class distinctions would he rubbed off tlie slate and recognition would have to be given to the class without whom they could never have won the war. At the front the richest and the poorest fought side by side for freedom.

The New York Times’ Washington correspondent learns that President ’Wilson is a member of the Versailles Supreme War Council and records liis vote by cable. President Wilson spent the day in company with Colonel House at New York. He returned to Washington this afternoon, maintaining silence regarding the Note.

TURKEY’S POSITION. SEPARATE PEACE WANTED. ■ CENTRAL POWERS COUNSEL .DELAY. Australian and N.Z. Cable 'taeociation. NEW YORK, Oct. 14. The Spanish Ambassador has delivered to Mr. Lansing the Turkish peace Note, which is similar to the German one. Eeuter s Telegrams. Oct. 15, 9.30 p.m.) K LONDON, Oct. 14. Turkey has notified Vienna of her intention to propose » separate peace. The Centra] Power have advised Turkey to delay, hut Turkey Das not replied.

KING GEORGE CONFERS WITH LLQYD-GEQRCE. . HOUSE OF COMMONS MEETS 11 TO-DAY. PACTETSTS MA Y CAUSE TROUBLE, Tho Times. (Received October 15, 7.20 p.m.) (uecciv cct londoNj October 14. The- King came from ®andrmghftm this morning and had a leng, y ■ mission on tho situation witl Mi Lloyd-Georgo and General WiEon, Chief of the General Staff. When the Houso of Commons ?©- slimes to-morrow a pacifist ■ /,, will endeavour to involve Die government in an immediate deba o ■ it is unlikely that the Government will say many things while commun cations with President Wilson are proceeding.