hitherto concluded to be a hindrance to the
conclusion of the general peace. Its particular aim is that popular
representative bodies shall be formed immediately on a broad basis in
the Baltic provinces, in Lithuania and Poland. We will promote the
realization of necessary preliminary conditions therefore without delay
by the introduction of civilian rule. All these lands shall regulate
their constitutions and their relations with neighboring peoples without
external interference.

He went on to point out the progressive political developments in
Prussia and declared that the "message of the King of Prussia promising
the democratic franchise must be fulfilled quickly and completely."

President Wilson did not find Prince Maximilian's proposal wholly
satisfactory, and on October 8th, he inquired of the Imperial Chancellor
whether the meaning of the proposal was that the German Government
accepted the terms laid down in his address to the Congress of the
United States and in subsequent addresses; and whether its object in
entering into discussions would be only to agree upon the practical
details of their application. He also suggested that so long as the
armies of the Central Powers were upon the soil of the governments with
which the United States was associated, he would not feel at liberty to
propose a cessation of arms to those governments. He also inquired
whether the Imperial Chancellor was speaking merely for the constituted
authorities of the Empire, who had so far conducted the war.

President Wilson's reply aroused much difference of opinion among the
Allies, but on the whole was regarded as a clever diplomatic move.

The German Government responded to these questions of the President on
October 12th, by a message signed by Dr. W. S. Solf, who had just been
appointed Imperial Foreign Secretary. In this reply the German
Government declared that it did accept President Wilson's terms; that it
was ready to comply with the suggestion of the President and withdraw
its troops from Allied territory, and that the German Government was
representing in all its actions the will of the great majority of the
German people.

Germany had, indeed, made enormous concessions, and the German people
appeared to have taken for granted that such an offer would be accepted.
An Amsterdam despatch declared: "People in Berlin are kissing one
another in the street, though they are perfect strangers and shouting
peace congratulatio