The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1917-08-16
German Inspiration Seen in
His Offer of Peace to War
ring Nations of the
World.
BRITISH PRESS ANSWER
Official Text Of Appeal Given Out
Does Not Impress Alles
as Being 40
ceptable.
[By Carl D. Groat, United Press
Staff Correspondent.l

[By Carl D. Groat, United Press
Staff Cores pondent.]
WASHINGTON, Aug. 16.-Presi-
dent Wilson is expected to answer
the pontiff's peace plea with state
ment showing the world why the al
lies must fight on so long as the Ger
man autocracy exists.
He probably will receive the pope's
note today. According to his advis-
ers. there is only one course open
to him.
They say unless present signs fail,
he will re-state more emphatically
than ever that the United States
wars against Germany's autocratic
system-its intrigues and horrors
rather than with any aim of crushing
the German people themselves. 1t Is
expected to be another bid to the
German liberals to cast off the yoke
of kaiserdom, and effect new gov
ernment shorn of schrecklichkeit.
That this government will reject
the pope's proffer is now regarded
certain. Germany's rules viii prob
ably revive the old claim that the
hand of every nation IS against her
people for conquest. But If President
Wilson follows the course his advis-
ers say he will, he will nullify that
claim.
Pope Benedict's suggestions for
reciprocal disarmament, future arbi-
tration to insure peace and freedom
Of the seas met with approval here
They square with President Wilson's
views. But the big stumbling block
was his advocacy Of a return to the
territorial status before the war with
negotiations over such disputed
lands as Alsace-Lorraine and Italia
Irrendenta.
This idea, President Wilson has
said, cannot be accepted.
He will doubtless point this fact
out anew in replying to the pope, and
will cast upon Germany's government
the burden of responsibility for 1nhu-
man practices and Unsuitable greed.
The impression that Austrian influ-
ences has worked on the pope was
rather dissipated today by publica-
ton of the peace message wherein
Benedict declared he was SOLELY
compelled by sentiment Of our su-
preme duty" and not by the "sugges-
tions or interests Of any Of the bel
ligerents."
Among diplomats here, however,
there was some resentment or the.
pope's proposal to allow Germany to
return to her undespoiled nation,
while the French and others must re-
rair grave damages without adequate
compensation. The allied conten-
ton is that the kaiser should have
further retribution visited on him.
Vigorous exception is taken to the
pope's placing all the warning ma
tions On an equal footing, in view OF
Germanys violations Of law and
atrocities committed on civil popula-
tions.
On the other hand the common
neople, who do the fighting and tax
paying the world over, will doubtless
give more thought to peace than
heretofore, since the offer came from
such an Influential source as the
pope, with a devoted following OF
millions.
The government stated today it is
going ahead With war preparations
as vigorously as before. This deter
mination, coupled with the proposed
refusal Of the appeal, is likely to have
the PSYCHOLOGICAL effect in Germany
of striking new despair to an already
suffering population.
Certain to be Rejected.
[By John H. Hearley, United Press
Staff Correspondent
ROME, Aug. 16.-Pope Benedicts
peace proposals are certain to be re-
jected by the allies, in view of the
Italian press.
Unanimous opinion was expressed
today that his holiness has failed to
include any of the principle points for
which the entente powers are fighting.
'The papal initiative is doomed to
lContinued on page 81