New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-08-16
Move Not Likely to Change
Attitude Of Entente
Allies
Lansing Is Reserved
Awaits Full Text of Vatican
Message Before Ventur-
ing Statement

WASHINGTON, Aug. 15.-Confer-
ences among Entente diplomats to-day
crystallized into conviction the opinion
here that Pope Benedict's peace move
| is not likely to change in any substan-
tial degree the attitude either Of the
Allies or the American government.
! 1t is agreed, however, that there
must be made response to the Pope's
proposal far more comprehensive than
a mere acknowledgment of receipt. To
do this without opening the field to
argument which might result in de-
veloping differences among the Allies
to be seized upon by the Germans is
realized to be a difficult and delicate
\ undertaking.
On the other hand, some considera-
I ton is being given to the suggestion
that the Pontiff has given President
Wilson a golden opportunity to i'm
press again upon the American people
and the world in the most convincing
/ fashion the rectitude of his position
in recommending TO Congress the dec
| laration Of a state of war with Ger
many.
Secretary Lansing is reserving any
expression of opinion until he has the
official text Of the Pope's message. Ex-
! perience has taught him that often
| traps are concealed in diplomatic COM
munications that are not visible in any
abstract. While there is no disposition
/ to question the good faith of the Pope,
| it is conceivable that he might have
been imposed upon by German cunning,
assuming that he has been induced to
take this step through the pleas of
| the strong Catholic elements in Austria
and Bavaria.
Lansing Holds Conferences
The official text had not reached
Washington tonight, but that fact did
| not prevent various diplomatic confer
ences on the subject Mr.. Lansing
talked during the day separately with
Ambassador Jusserand, of France, and
Colville Barclay, Charge of the British
Embassy, in the absence Of Ambassador
| Spring Rice.
These talks may be regarded as pre-
| liminary to the more formal exchanges
expected to take place among the Allied
| Powers before answers are returned to
the Vatican proposals, and it is under
stood they are designed TO place the
! foreign Offices in LONDON and Paris in
possession of the general views of Sec
rotary Lansing as basis for their own
actions.
Ambassador Riano, of Spain, also
talked with the Secretary, who after
ward indicated that he thought the
Pope's message might reach him
through the Spanish Embassy.
Peace Talk to Be Curbed
In anticipation Of an outburst OF
peace talk at the Capitol, plans were
made during the day by Senate leaders,
both Democratic and Republican, to
prevent open discussion of the subject
in the Senate. They propose to force
executive sessions and close the doors
upon the beginning by any Senator OF
an address bearing on peace negotla-
tions or the general subject of peace.
This programme and other measures
to deal with various pending peace res
olutions and future speeches probably
will be discussed with President Will
son within the next few days. An
executive session of the Senate was
planned late to-day to consider closing
the doors for peace debate, but the
| matter went over, probably until to-
| morrow.
Pacifism in the Lurch
Senators of the small so-called paci-
| fist group are expected to oppose the
| secret session programme. The lead
ers, however, are prepared to base
their action upon the ground that such
| discussions would relate TO treaties,
including possible peace treaty, and,
| therefore, as is usual, should be carried
on behind closed doors.
IL adhered TO, the secret session
| plan would materially affect speeches
| planned by Senator Stone. chairman
OF the Foreign Relations Committee,
and by Senator La Toilette and others
/ on the Wisconsin Senator's resolution
proposing that this nation and the AL
| lies make more definite announcement
| of possible peace terms.
To Meet Socialist Unrest
Those who expect President Wilson
to make his reply to the Pope the occa-
| sion for a restatement of Americas
reasons for going to war think some
thing Of the same kind may be done
| in London, Paris and Rome to meet
Socialist unrest, with the purpose OF
directing the activities of Socialists
into proper channels. rather than try
En- 1856