Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1917-08-17
POPE ASKS NATIONS
TO END WORLD WAR
HOLY FATHER SAYS STOP BLOOD
SHED AND RIGHT WRONGS
CAUSED BY WAR.
Reduction OF Arnaments, Freedom Of
Seas and Guarantee of No Retalla-
tIon for World Commercial Supren-
acy Foundation of Peace Plan.

Washington Peace proposals made
by Pope Benedict have been delivered
to all the belligerent governments,
says a dispatch from Rome. II
The pope suggests restoration of
Belgium, Serbia and Roumania and
peaceful solution of the problems of
Alsace-L Lorraine, Trent, Triest and
Poland, according to reports received
from vatican sources.
The pope's peace appeal proposes
that there be no annexations and no
indemnities except In special cases,
such as Belgium and Serbia, the return
20 Germany of her colonies in exchange
for the occupied departments of
France, freedom Of the seas, disarma-
ment and the formation of supreme
court for arbitration for the settle
ment Of future international disputes.
Officials of every sort are handling
the report Of the pope's note to the
belligereHts In such a gingerly man
ner, that all Washington is convinced
that the situation is pregnant with
real possibilities of peace.
Rumors of peace, suggestions Of
peace and terms of peace which have
hitherto filtered into the United
States, have been invariably met with
q reputation almost scornful. No
such treatment was accorded the re-
port of the vaticnn's note.
Secretary Of State Lansing early
volunteered the information that he
had known informally Of such move
for several days.
The papal legation and Spanish en-
bassy here refuse in any manner to
be interviewed or to deny or affirm
that the note has arrived.
Allied and neutral diplomats are
guardedly commenting to the effect
that this may be Germany's cry for
mercy.
They do not accuse the vatican Of
playing Germany's game.
What they do say is that Pope Bene-
dict, praying and working for peace
for years, may now have found through
Austria q willingness on the part OF
Germany to make an offer which the
United States and the entente will
Consider.
Diplomats In discussing the pro-
posed terms, divide them into two
classes. In the first they place those
which Germany might now be willing
to grant Immediately. These include
the restoration of the territory occu-
pied by Germany In return for Ger
man colonies.
The others, diplomats believe, are
either tempting bats which Germany
might hold out now and then fight
against 30 bitterly in conference
that there would be no chance for an
agreement.
II Pope Benedict has assurance Of
such definite character as to guaran-
tee the performance by the central
powers of such agreements as they put
forth, 1t viii mean that the allies win
In all probability be willing to enter
into a discussion.
There might even be an armlstice
with the opposing forces holding the
lines upon which they now sit.
But IL the pope Is not able TO attri-
butte this offer of these terms and q
willingness to abide by them Indirect
" to the central powers, time will
bring forth only respectful and for
NAL expression OF appreciation of the
pope's efforts.
In other words, the allies must be
pretty sure that 1t Is Germany crying
for mercy before they let up.
1t il not considered unlikely that the
president will take up the vatican
terms for informal discussion with the
allies. The attitude OF the allies will
be promptly revealed. Then will come
the time for an admission or denial by
Germany as to her willingness to abide
by these terms. It Is only then that
their real value can be determined.
It remains the outstanding feature
OF the time of their first suggestion,
however, that the administration is
treating the suggestion with greatest
respect.