GERMANY'S FINAL ANSWER

New Zealand Herald, Volume LV, Issue 16983, 17 October 1918, Page 5

GERMANY'S FINAL ANSWER

NO FURTHER DISCUSSION. PRESSING ON WITH THE WAR. A. and N.Z. WASHINGTON. Oct. 15. The President's frank straightforward declaration in reply to Germany has been received with the greatest demonstrations of satisfaction and relief in Congress, official and diplomatic circles and throughout the country. It is significant that Mr. Lansing has made it clear that Mr. Wilson's Noto is a decision, not merely a reply, and does not permit further discussion, therefore the war will be pressed with the greatest vigour until the enemy surrenders unconditionally. There is much comment on Mr. Wilson's adroitness in countering the German move by pointing out that in accepting all the points of tho principles in his speeches since January, Germany had practically agreed to " the destruction of every arbitrary power." Thus Germany's autocratic Government had signed its own death warrant.

REQUEST FOR ARMISTICE. HINDENBURG'S SUGGESTION. WASHINGTON. Oct. 16. It is officially learned that Hindenbnrg, not Prince Maximilian, asked the German Government to request an armistice from President Wilson. LONDON. Oct, 15. Mr. Bonar Law stated to-day that it would bo unwise for any of the Allies to state tho terms that would b.9 imposed on Germany before an armistico could be granted. Britain's reply to Turkey's Peace Note will demand unconditional surrender. Lord Reading, Ambassador to America, in a speech at a luncheon to M. Pashitch, Prime Minister of Servia, alluded to the terms of peace. He said justice would be merciful if there were extenuating circumstances, but it must be stern if there were none. Let us win the regard which is justly ours by the destruction of militarism. Mr. Wilson's Note has been published in London. Tho public welcome it as an uncompromising declaration that the conditions of armistice must be left to the army chiefs, also on accom.t of its stern denunciation of German atrocities.

Amsterdam messages state that Herr Erzberger, leader of the German Centre Party, interviewed, said he considered tho Leinster tragedy extraordinarily regrettable. There would be the deepest sympathy for the innocent women and children, who were sacrificed. His view had always been the same since the Lusitania was sunk. It was high time that the German submarine campaign on tho present lines ceased.

Mr. Arthur Henderson, in an interview, said Germany must give military and naval guarantees before an armistice. Organised Labour should throw its whole weight on the side of Mr. Wilson and Mr. Lloyd George, Mr. Wilson's reply to the German Note said that it was necessary, in order that there be no possibility of misunderstanding, that the President should very solemnly call the attention of the Government of Germany to the language and plain intention of one of the terms of peace which the German Government now accepted, as follows:— The destruction of every arbitrary Power anywhere that can separately, secretly, and of its single choice, disturb the peace of the world; or, if it cannot presently be destroyed, at least the reduction to virtual impotency cf the Power which has hitherto controlled the German nation of the sort here described. It is within the choice of the German nation to alter it." The President's words just quoted naturally constituted a condition precedent to peace, if peace were to come l>v the action of the German people themselves.

DANGER FAR REMOVED. END OF NEGOTIATION. WASHINGTON, Oct. 18, Mr. W. R. Tat't, interviewed concerning the PrssiJent's answer to the German Peace Note, said: Americans will read the President's reply to the,Gorman Note with a deep sigh of relief. The President declines an armistice while brutality is going on, and cites his Fourth of July speech, which makes the destruction of the Hohenzollems a condition precedent to granting peace to the Germans. Thus peace by negotiation, which was threatened, is far removed. The " All Highest" must throw off the mask, and the battle will go on. The Throne of the Hohenzollorna is forfeit,' and we should be profoundly thankful.