THE FOURTEEN POINTS AND THE PEACE
[To the Editor of THE SPECTATOR] SIR,—With reference to the "Fourteen Points," may I ask for information on the following question?
Not long ago, in a letter to The Times, it was stated that there were no conditions in the final surrender of the Germans.
Early in 1918 they had been offered peace on the conditions of the "Fourteen Points" and had refused. When they ultimately laid down their arms they put forward the "Fourteen Points," but Foch would only agree to an unconditional submission, and the " Points " were not accepted. I cannot remember the name of the writer, but he seemed to speak with knowledge.
This seems to be a very important matter, but I have seen no further reference to it—Yours, &c.,
HILDA D. OAKELEY. University of London Club, 21 Gower Street, W.C. r.
[The actual Armistice conditions made no reference to the "Fourteen Points," but the Allied Powers had already pledged themselves, in published correspondence with the United States Government, to base their peace terms—a completely different thing from Armistice terms—on the "Fourteen Points" (with reservations regarding the freedom of the seas) and the principles of settlement enunciated in President Wilson's subsequent addresses. Germany was entitled to hold them to that.— ED. The Spectator.]
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