Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-09-03
Opportune Time to Offer Good
Offices Seems Yet to
Be Distant.
VATICAN SUGGESTION
is NOT ALLIES DESIRE
Represents Austrian-German Senti-
ment Only, It Is Said-Entente
Powers Might Resent Mediation.


tertained in administration circles
today that peace in Europe is
near as a result of the message
sent by Pope Benedict to Presi-
dent Wilson and personally pre-
sented yesterday afternoon by
Cardinal Gibbons. Only through
the Pope has there reached the
President an intimation, it is be-
lieved, that now may be the op-
perfume time to initiate overtures
for cessation of the European
war. Ii this feeling prevails else
where the President is keeping
his information to himself, and
no one outside has hint of it.
The view of the Vatican represents
sentiments that exist in Austria and Ger
many. according to opinion today, together
with the desire of the head of the Catholic
Church that the taking of human life
through war may soon stop. But what
Germany and Austria may think of peace
at this time by no means corresponds to
official and public opinion in Great
Britain. France, Russia and Italy. The
fortunes of the two Germanic countries
are at flood tide now, and they can easily
take chances on peace negotiations COM
ing out favorably for them, If once started.
Their position is such, according to OBJ
servers. that every advantage would ac-
crue to them once negotiations were
opened. For that very reason the allies
are not ready to consider peace. The
time is not opportune for them. Thus the
possibility of peace, as officials in WASH
ington see it, is remote now as it has
been for long time past.
Allies Unwilling to Talk Peace.
Great Britain and her allies are un-
derstood to be in no temper to con-
slider peace negotiations now, and it is
limited that they would regard as un-
friendly propositions or suggestions
from this government asking if they
wished to take up the subject.
Diplomatic advice from the allies is
that there is dogged determination
to stand together until Germany is
either beaten or is willing to admit
that she has had enough of the contest.
There is no thought that Germany
belonging to the allies or receive big
indemnities. The British, especially.
are adamant In their purpose to cling
to Germany to the end and will not
consent to peace on Germany's terms,
diplomats here today said.
One proposition that is said to appeal
strongly to the Roman Church is the
German intimation that if she can have
peace terms to suit her she will create
an independent nation out of Poland.
whose people are almost solidly Catho-
lie. Representatives of the allies here
also represent that Austria, for which
nation the Pope has a warm regard.
is nearer to a financial breakdown than
any of the other fighting nations.
The grief of the Pope that Austria
and Italy should war against each other
has been intense and the sooner peace
between them is secured the greater
the joy at the Vatican
Seeks Presidents Initiative.
Although nothing has come to light
regarding the details of Pope Bene-
diets message a fairly we'll informed
authority in church circles makes the
statement that the Pope would like to
have President Wilson draft and pre-
cent TO the European belligerents pro-
posals for cessation Of hostilities dur
ing the time of which possible terms
for settlement of the war might be
discussed 1t is also believed that the
Pope was acting alone in this plan and
that he had not consulted with any
other neutral nation.
The Pope's message will not be made
public by the United States govern
ment, although there will be no OBJ
lection If Cardinal Gibbons gives 1t out.
Enough Of the contents of the mes
sage was known, however, to give
basis for indications that Austria,
Germany and Turkey are not adverse
tcor ccip
Secretary Lansing said today that
whether the Pope's message is to be
made public rests between the Vatican
and Cardinal Gibbons at Baltimore. and
IL made public at all probably would
be given out at Baltimore.
Pledges Support Of Presidents Plan.
President Wilson today received a
telegram from the American Defense
Society pledging support to his plans
The telegram follows:
your excellency's call for a definite
defense program for submission to
Congress based upon expert opinion in
the army and navy deserves united In
dorsement of the country to arouse the
public ard its representatives in Con-
gress to the need of an adequate army
and navy as outlined in your statement
We pledge our unremitting support"
Cardinal Maintains Reticence.
BALTIMORE. Md. September s.
Cardinal Gibbons maintained his ret
icent attitude today respecting the con-
tents Of the message from Pope Bene-
dict which he delivered to President
Wilson yesterday.
"A cablegram was sent to the Pope
stating that the President had received
wiki great satisfaction the communica-
zion OF the holy father which I had
made to him., said the cardinal
Pending the receipt of any further in
formation or instructions from the
pontin l must decline to make any dis
closures or comment concerning the
message"