The sun., 1916-12-25
ITALY SEES GERMAN
HAND BEHIND NOTE
Press Unanimous in Declaring
Allies Must Reject Will
sen Proposal.
WAR LAID TO TEUTONS
Peace Plan Now Il Decried as
"Tnopportune and I'm
becoming"

ROME, via Paris, Dec. 2i.-"President
Wilson'S note was suggested by Ger
says the idea NoS%onale. Ger
many desired that her peace proposal
should be followed by q great pacific
manifestation and tried to obtain It
the Vatican, which refused.
But whom Germany declared 10 WASH
ington that she was ready to examine
any peace project Of any neutral Gov
eminent she induced President Wilson
to present his note"
The Gto,rals DIfaHa asks rs It a
maneuvreT Commenting on
the report that the smaller neutral
States are preparing to support the
American note. the paper avs
Three mistakes are observable In the
case OF the American note: First. It
was sent when the ALLIES were about 20
reject 0srmany's peace proposal: SEC
ond. II makes no distinction between
savages and civilized people third. II
proposes peace twenty-eight months too
late.
saspicioas Of Germany.
ITO President Wilson'S note.' rom
tinues the newspaper, "it Ii impossible TO
answer simply No The answer must
demohstrate the just and honest inten-
lions Of the Allies. fighting for the de-
fence OF liberty and right, against the
Central Powers, thirsting for dominion.
intoxicated with barbarity and RESPONSE
BILE for the most atrocious aggression
ever committed. II Is impossible to ac-
cept n conference for peace. with a rela-
tive amistice. without obtaining from the
enemy a sure guarantee that he will not
take advantage Of the cessation OF hos
Titles to escape making reparation.'
Tho O~sscrpatore Rom0NO, the official
organ Of the Vatican. y 1t wishes to
express full satisfaction for this very
important document. by which the
authoritative voice OF the head Of the
great American republic calls the war
ring parties to consider their grave re-
sponslbilities' and advises means to has
ten the end of the war. II recalls that
Pope Benedict made virtually the same
attempt In July. 1915. h newspaper
closes its comment by expressing the
hope that the note will be favorably re-
ceived.
pope Benedict expressed the hope that
the note would have a beneficial effect
despite its coincidence with Germany :
proposal Of peace. with which. II was
pointed out. 1t must not be connected.
Calls Nste Inopportuae.
The Radical newspaper n Secolo says:
why should ncutrals who kept quiet
when the Germans d~ishonored Europe
take a stand against war to-day when
the Allies have wen founded hopes OF
defeating those responsible for so man,
iniquitles' Their Intervention now l.
an act involving partially. Therefore
President Wilson'S initiative Is not only
inopportune. but ~unbecoming.'
The Conservative Pcrsererdr:d rays
Evidently President Wilson fears
that peace will be concluded without his
assistance. hut he need not fear. as peace
IL still far on"
The Socialist newspa per Ardntt
praises the President. adding that his
note marks a noteworthy step toward
the conclusion OF peace even II It does
rot bring about an immediate definite
result.
BIn mes Tcutons for War.
The NesSdp0cro says:
THE American hote will not change
the course of events IL II Is no more thar
the pious and noble desire for pcac.
shared by tho Powers OF the Entente
which did not impose but rave submittec
10 the war let loose by the Central En-
pres.
THAT which the q~uadruple alliance
desires IL not "A mystery. England ask.
the remittance OF Germany within Ger
many's own boundaries. respect for op
pressed n~ationalities, regard for interna
tlonal ageements n equitable damage
for the ruin wrought. rance has place,
openly upon the carpet the recover o
Alsace and Lorraine. Italy. In the am,
manner. has defined her rights TO IN,
irredent!st territories on the other sid
of the sea which are essential 10 Tranquil
life on tn. Adriatic. Russia wishes I,
be no longer suffocated in the Black Sea
The Straits belong to her. Serbia. like
wise. must have her territories and fire.,
outlet. Rumania must rescue her son
suffering under the Magyar yoke"
Senator Guglielmo Marconi. the In
ventor OF wireless biography. who re
turned from the United States 10 1tal!
early in the war and now holds IN,
rank OF Lieutenant. said;
II sympathize with the attitude OF tn,
President. understand the feelings q
the American people. but | think tn,
Central Empires should he the first 4
make definite proposals. Thus far the!
have not done so"
BRITISH FAIL IN MACEDONIA.
Berlin Reports RepuIs- OF AttRct