New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-09-01
Paris Newspapers
Praise Wilson Note

PARIS, Aug. Sin a leading article
on President Wilson's reply to the
peace proposals Of Pope Benedict the
Journal des Debats" says: "The Holy
See found il suitable to take its inter
vention out Of the discreet channels OF
diplomacy and to give it publicity, OF
which the danger is evident, 1t called,
therefore, for a striking public reply,
which has been given by President
wilson"
The newspaper reviews at length the
Presidents argument and points out
that il is based on the brutal facts and
nothing else. and says: "This appeal
for the supremacy of democratic ideas
in Germany will afiict, perhaps, those
minds tina. prefer to live in the illu-
sion Of a satisfactory peace by COM
promise because Of their country's war
successes. The appeal depends upon
the defeat of Germany, and until the
German nation feels that defeat she
certainly will not listen to President
Wilson. This injunction from an ad-
versary will even, beyond any doubt,
be exploited by the masters OF Ger
many to arouse its national sentiment"
Objects of the War
The journal des Debats" recalls
that there has been no question Of
crushing Germany or dismembering
her, and adds: Neither is there any
question of that after-the-wAr econo-
mic conflict which some persons have
talked about so imprudently. 1t will
suffice to insure the complete indepen-
dence, economic as we'll as political,
of all the peoples attacked or menaced
by Germany. If the injustice that she
has committed were repaired, and if
there is left to the people of Germany
the situation of free people equal to
that of its peers, the object of our
war for independence will be attained"
Note Matter OF conscience
president Wilson has taken counsel
only with his conscience in formulating
his response to the Naticsn's peace
proposals" says the "Temps," "but he
has an ideal so similar to ours and
such clear view Of European realities
that his meditation has brought him to
finding of which we approve. The
sentiment which inspires the entire
note. just as it inspires the entire
French policy, is thc conviction that we
cannot treat with the German govern
ment ut present.
THE President Of the United States.
in his patient negotiations regarding
submarine warfare, had the same ex-
perience as France in ten years of dis
cussion Of Moroccan questions, and has
drawn the same conclusion. Nothing
would be gained by signing tomorrow
new scrap Of paper II would not
conduce TO world Dcace. II would mere
~ give the Prussian General staff time
TO prepare for new aggression.
THAT surely was not the end which
the Pope proposed. lie said the funda-
mental point must be the substitution
Of the moral force of right for the
material force of arms, bat Mr.. Wilson
that negotiations as suggested by the
Holy Father would end N an entirely
different result. In Germany it would
give 10 the imperial government re-
newsl Of strength. Outs.dt IF Germany
il would compel persons Sho desire to
remain free to create q permanent
league against the German danger.
at would result, in fact, in con-
solidating Prussisn militsrism and in
perpetusting regime Of armed peace.
Wilson Wants Real Peace
at is not 10 achieve this that the
United States entered the war. Il is
not for this that we are fighting.
President Wilson wants a real peace,
one which will do away with the causes
Of war His doctrine is logical, from
one end to the other. II is because he
wants pacific Germany that he re-
iects the idea OF enclosing il within a
wall. 1t is because he counts upon
the opening Of the eyes Of the Ger