Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-08-15

benecict's peace proposals before to-
days news dispatches were received
here. No official recognizance can be
taken of it until the proposal is con-
veyed officially. Whatever considera-
ton is given to II will be after con-
sultation with the Allies.
At the apostolic delegation all
knowledge of the Pope's proposal was
disclaimed. l. was said the papal dele
gate had not transmitted it to the
United States government and did not
expect to do so. The opinion was ex-
neutral government.
Think Germany Behind II
Within the Entente diplomatic cir
cles the opinion was freely and
promptly expressed that the peace pro-
posal was inspired by Germany and
was an attempt to split the Allies in
a conflicting discussion Of their war
aims.
Announcement that the Spanish am
bassador at Rome had transmitted
Pope Benedict's proposals. to the
Italian government and the opinion
expressed It the apostolic delegation
here that they might be delivered to
the United States by neutral led to
the possibility that the Spanish am
bassador here. Juan Riano might con-
vey them to the State Department.
The Spanish embassys only infor-
nation today. it was said there, had
been received from The Associated
Press dispatches
nytn 80 ~
information does not indicate through
what channel the proposal will be con-
veyed and gives no information from
which an inference might he drawn as
to whether it will come through one of
the Allied governments or through a
dignitary Of the church.
Await Official Text
Officials were unusually explicit in say
ing that it could not be discussed until
it came officially before the government
and were emphatic in declaring that no
statement whatever could be represented
as rejecting the official view
If an inference might be drawn from
the Inducements which were started in
official circles by the report, trained OBJ
server would venture the opinion that the
proposal Is one which would be discussed
in good faith by the Allies but that It
does not meet their war aims
1t is indicated that peace proposal
coming from the Pope-the first actual
proposal Of the kind to come from the
Vatican-would necessarily have to be
considered carefully and deliberately and
that an answer convincing to the world
NIL r,l,, r. Z.
Relationship with Austria
How far the peace proposal reflects the
close relationship Of the Vatican with
Austria, whose earnest desire for peace
despite German influence is we'll known,
or how far it reflects the Catholic agita-
ton for peace in Germany, no one here
would venture to say. 1t was recalled,
however, that leading Catholics were
prominent figures in the recent peace
furry in Germany.
Without advices Of any kind from their
own governments, the Entente embassies
were intensely interested in the Associat-
ed Press cablegrams from Rome
Diplomatic practice prevents authorized
expressions of opinion for publication,
but 1t was apparent at once that the
peace proposal falls on unreceptive ears,
so far as the diplomats here are concern
ed. The Entente representative without
the slightest difference of opinion declar-
ed the proposal originated with Germany,
using Austria as an intermediary with the
Vatican because of the better standing
Of that gnat Catholic empire with the
Pope.
Pope's Motive the Loftiest
There was no disposition to ascribe
any but the Hottest motives to Pope
Benedict in accepting at their face
value peace proposals emanating from
Vienna, but naturally the question was
at once raised as to the proper dtvis-
ion of responsibility between the Cen
trail Powers and the Pope. 1t was
pointed out that it is important to
know whether the proposals came full
f1edged from Vienna or Berlin, or
whether the Pope himself framed them
in the light of an understanding he
may have acquired of the minimum
demands of the Central Powers.
Not From Allies
The Entente diplomats agree that
the peace proposals did not come from
any of the allied capitols.
So far as Great Britain is concern
ed, it was said, there has not been
any intention of departing from the
outlines disclosed in the public speech
es of Premier Lloyd George and For
eign Minister Balfour.
The extreme element among the
French socialists never have contem-
plated anything short of the return to
French sovereignty of Alsac- Lorraign,
while. so far as Italy is concerned, it
is said here that the government would
be overturned by the people if it con-
sented to abate its demand for "Ital-
ia irredenta," involving the restoration
of the Austrian provinces on the
Adriatic to Italy.
Russia's Interest Limited
Russia's interest in the proposals as
outlined is very limited outside Of her
general concern for a speedy but hon
orable peace, in conjunction with her
allies by reason of the omission of any
reference to the Balkan question out
side of Serbia and Rumania, leaving
excluded any question of control of the
entrance to the Black sea. However.
the proposition to submit the future of
Poland to peaceful solution attracts
some attention in that uuarter al