Raleigh, N.C., October 7th, 1918.

Hon. Josephus Daniels,
Secretary of the Navy,
Washington, D. C.

Respectfully suggest that the President’s reply to Germany should be that no peace terms can be considered until Germany shall actually evacuate all territory she has seized anywhere during this war. Germany has no more right in Belgium, France, Russia, and Rumania than a burglar has in your house, and no conference should be held until she gets out of all conquered lands. If she proposes to get out at once, then the allied armies could afford not to attack while she is voluntarily withdrawing to her own territory. This proposition, it seems to me, will test Germany’s sincerity. After the German armies are back on German soil we can then take up and consider other peace terms.

T. W. Bickett,
Governor.

(Charge Executive Dept. State N. C.)