New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-08-16
London Newspapers
Distrust the Pope's
Suggestion of Terms

LONDON, Aug. 15.-Some of the
morning newspapers refrain from COM
mentng on the Pope's peace proposals,
while those which discuss them edi-
torially attribute their genesis to Aus
tria, and either reject them absolutely
or indicate the belief that the text when
received will show them to be unaccept-
able.
"The Daily News" which, although
firm supporter of the Allies aims, has
decided pacifist leaning. says that what
ever reasons which hitherto restrained
the Pope from coming forward as an
official champion OF peace, the long de-
lay has materially impaired the ad-
vantages the Vatican originally pos
sessed for disinterested Intervention.
ut is not our business to pass judg-
ment upon a policy which exhausted
itself in impotent sighs over the inlqul-
ties perpotrated in Belgium and imag-
med il possible TO eXtinguish the world
confederation by a succession OF timld
intripues. The fact is-whether
IL is reasonable to blame Benedict and
his advisers, therefore, is another mat
Reconsideration of temporal and
secular interest having so long stayed
his hands, it is impossible to acceptshe
Pores Intervention now as dictated
purely by the desire which animates all
good and all sincerely religious men to
and a horror which is destroying Eu-
rope.
1.-THE Pope's proposals must be OK.
amined on their merits as strictly as II
made by Chancellor Michaelis, Presi-
dent Wilson or Lloyd George
"The Daily News" thinks it fairly
clear that the Popes appeal was really
inspired by Austria, but maintains that
If His Holiness can really persuade the
bellieerents to state their conditions in
concrete terms he will confer very
great if belated blessing on mankind;
and if he can further persuade Ger
many TO declare its willingness to re-
store the independence of Belgium, Ser
bia and Rumania and withdraw from
other invaded territories, the door to
peace will be open, and a blank refusal
by the Allies to negotiate on such
basis would be almost urthinkable.
The DAILY Mail" does not comment
editorially, but in an introduction in
it's news columns says that the Pope's
proposals are impossible and that the
scheme is really Austro German.
Wants Allies to Refuse
The "Chronicle" refers 10 the tradi-
tional intimacy of Austria and the
Vatican and the Austrian courts in
tense desire for peace and adds: The
fact that the proposal comes immediate
ly after expulsion Of Russians from
Galicia and Bukowina will not escape
anybody who is in the habit Of putting
two and two together. We may as
sumo that the Pope acted at Austria's
prompting. In any case, the Allies
will have TO refuse. No other course
is open to them"
The Times" says ;he proposals as de-
scribed in the telegraphed summaries
are utterly inadmissible by the Allies.
1t expresses establishment At the Vat
leans alleged hope that the document
will be favorably received and lead TO
the not distant end of the war. ITO
cherish any hope of this says the
paper, "betrays a complete ignorance
Of opinion of all the Entente countries
and the United States. They have all
stated plainly, emphatically and re-
peatedly the only terms wherein they
are prepared TO consider peace. Those
terms arc quite Incompatible with the
telegraphed version OF the vatican s
proposals, and there is not the slight
est prospect that the Allies will re-
nounce or abate them. The whole
tenor Of the document bears the marks
Of German inspection"
The Post" expressing similar
views, says: "To listen 10 a compro-
mise before a guarantee is secured
against repetition Of the ordeal
through which civilization is passing
is to betray all sacrifice and suffering
that have been endured"
The Post" taking il FOR granted
that the proposals are instigated by
Germany, and remarking that they de-
cided in advance on anything Germany
has hitherto been disposed TO discuss,
attributes her anxiety for an immedi-
ate negotiated peace to a realization
that the continuance Of the war will
give her much less than such nego-
tiatcd peace, because she will have to
face with depleted resources the full
weight Of neg enemy. the American
Republic. and adds that GezbNny af-
fcctcd to believe the United plates as