20 JANUARY 1917, Page 2

We are glad, however, to note, thoughthere could never heotre

been any real doubt on the subject, that the Allies repudiate in the strongest way the notion that they desire to exterminate or maltreat the German peoples. This paragraph of the Reply ends with what is perhaps one of the most important sentences in the whole of this memorable document. " They [the Allies] desire above all tO ensure peace on the principles of liberty and justice, and upon the•. /aviolable fidelity to international engagements by which the Government of the United States have ever been inspired."