The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1917-08-14
ADOPTS WILSON'S SUGGESTION

WASHINGTON, Aug. 14.-An unof-
ficia1 outline of Pope Benedict's
peace proposal received here, discloses
that the Pontiff includes some of the
principles of world peace for which
President Wilson has declared.
Among the Pope's proposals are re-
duction of ornaments, freedom of the
sea and that there shall be no retalia-
tory struggle after the war for world
commercial supremacy. These are re-
garded as the foundation stones of the
Pope's plan. The Pope's proposal de-
clares that the injuries to the belliger.
ents have been SO great that there
should be no thought of reparation, ex-
cepting the return of territory.
Included in the restoration Of terri
tory, the Pope's proposals say the
Allies should return to Germany her
colonies. There should be complete
restoration of Belgium sovereignty.
The state department acknowledged
it has received unofficial knowledge Of
Pope Benedict's peace proposals before
today's news dispatches were received
here. No official cognizance can be
taken of it until the proposals are con-
veyed officially. Whatever considera-
tion is given them will be after con-
sultation with the Allies.
Allies Are Dubious.
At the Apostolic delegation all
knowledge of the Pope's proposal was
disclaimed. 1t was said the papal dele
gate had not transmitted 1t to the
United States government and did not
expect to do SO. The opinion was ex-
pressed that it would come through a
neutral government Within entente
diplomatic circles, the opinion was
freely expressed that the proposal was
inspired by Germany and was an at
tempt to split the Allies into conflict
ing discussions of war aims.
Announcement that the Spanish am
bassador at Rome had transmitted
Pope Benedict's proposals to the Ital-,
ian government, and the opinion ex-i
pressed at 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 embassy's only informa.
ton today, it was said here, had been
received from the Associated Press
dispatches.
Note Is Long One.
The Pope's proposal which already
have been delivered to the resident
ambassadors and ministers of the
warning powers in Rome. is quite long.
making in print something more than
a column Of large newspaper type.
Although special efforts are being
20 F,a Toe Ae>
the United States. this may not be
affected for at least day or two.
Meanwhile, however. an accurate [
outline of the principle points OF the |
Pope's communication is in the hands !
has received thoughtful consideration.
At best Pope Benedicts proposals
are only suggestions as a rough base
for negotiations. and he realizes that
the details in all their complexities
must be worked out patiently and in
a spirit Of conciliation by the belliger- +
ents.
Strikes at Future Wars.
Unqualified approval Of President
Wilson's plan for the avoidance Of
future wars by some form Of interna-
tional organization which shall have
behind it the necessary power to en-
force its judgment, is given by Pope
Benedict, who declares that along with
such splendid project must go an
effective arrangement for the reduct-
ion of armament to a point just suffic-
lent for defensive purposes, or to carry
out the mandates Of the world court
Any attempt to prevent free eco
nomic action between the belligerents,
the Pope Dointa out would be DIS.
astrous. Therefore he says there
must be freedom OF the sea in all that
the term applies. The Pontiff declares
that SO extensive has been the injury
to all the belligerents that there can
be no thought now Of either Indemnity
or reparation.
Wants No Trade War.
In a spirit OF Cancellation and Jus
tice, he says. all the belligerents must
submit to accept the losses they have
sustained except in the matter OF
territory, and beside these questions
of idemnity and reparation, th Pope