Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1917-08-30

MEETS VIEW
OF ENTENTE
British and French Press
Holds Peace Reply Voices
the Allies Opinion.

London. Aug. s0.-"The text Of
President Wilson s. reply 10 the pope's
peace overtures is not before us as
we write. but everybody in the United
States has already read it by yesteF-
day noon and summaries and COM
ments from American newspapers
leaves us in no doubt about its char
acter,' says the Manchester Guardian.
After declaring that the position Of
the president is clear and logical, the
newspaper gives several extracts from
Premier LLOYD Georges speech al las
gov last June. which it says are uch
the same i'm spirit as Mr.. Wilson's mes
sage to the pope, continuing
president Wilson's policy comes
very near 10 the formula no peace
with the HoheuzoNerns' but it would
be unfair not to recognize TIE very
narrow bur deep gulf that separate
him from thar formula. The way IN
which he prefers to put his policy is
thar no peace can he durable without
the guarantee of the German Peep e.
Guarantees given by the German gov
eminent holding the views that it doe
cannot be durable.
40 Desire to Dictate.
"ATr. Wilson has no desire to- dictate
10 the German people their form of
government but as good American
he has faith in the honesty ana san
cerftsr OF the democracy. lie is nor
concerned to insist that Germany must
have forms Of government like oar
own. uut only to assert the principle
that in dealing with an auJocracy Ike
that of Germany we must lin self de-
tense exact more severe guarantees
than if we were dealing not with
CLIQUE whose political vices have been
made notorious by the war, but with il
free naonIe which in the mass are
never dishonorabIe. never cynical
never treach eTous-
Little News of Reply.
Paris Aug 3o.-onlE an sg-"oL"
SUMMARY of President Wilson's reply
10 P0ue Benedict has reached PARIS
this morning and consequently the
4.azrsrauers withhold extensive com
meat The Petit parisien. however
saws that IL is clear. in view OF the
length IF time which has elapsed since
the president received Pope Heneaicf
PROPOSALS that his answer was in no
wav fmpr0vised. particularly as every
one is aware that il is hls hapLl 10
mediate at length over every act.
Former Message Revised
aAe far as 1t is possible TO deduce
from the indications received. the
newspaper continues, president VII
son does not discuss the pope's sug-
ges:fous in themselves His reply IS
q re-editing Of the thesis familiar TO
those who have read his messages,
that $50 long as German imperial IN
situations are not modified, as long S
the democratic spirit has not pene-
trated beyond the Rhine. as absolut-
ism based on ollgaTchys persists, so
long nations cannot have confidence
i'm Eermanys word President vii
son thus brings up just as France ana
England have done before aim, the
question of Prussian miIitaTism. which
is the safeguard OF this absolut3sm
and aIgarchy.
VIII Germans Hear Advice!
I'm rejecting the vatican offer. the
president indicates tine conditions uu-
der which useful conversation might
be taken up Once more he gives i'm
portant advice to the German people
VIII he be heard
The AIatn SAYS From what we
know of the text. Ir. Wilson has en-
deavored to enter into the views of / ne
spiritual power which is regarded by
millions Of his fellow citizens as the
highest religious authority i'm the
world, bat il is absolutely necessary
that peace should be concluded only
with absolute guarantees fer the fu-
turc- which the president believes can
not he given by the present rulers Of
Germany lie does not conceal the
opinion which he had already express
ad thar the German people should be
free from the present regime before
an agreement worthy Of conference
can be made with them