The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1917-08-16
POPE OUTLINES
PLAN FOR PEACE
Similar TO Some Of Wilson's
Declarations on Subject
n OFFERS HOPE TO WORLD

Hcstofstion OF HeaSe- e-Gof'H"'
oermsny's Sticking point--Presi
dent TO Be Spokesman
Washington, Aug. Is. While Pope
Benedict's peace proposal TO the bel
ligerent powers has not been officially
published, II is unofiieiaily stated that
the terms include:
The restitution OF Belgium, Serbia
and Roumania to full sovereignty.
The return 10 Germany OF her COL
onies In exchange for the occupied
departments OF France.
Freedom OF the seas, with no re-
striction on commercial and economic
intercourse between nations after the
war.
The formation OF superior court OF
arbitration for the settlement OF iu-
ture international disputes.
That there shall be no annexations
and no indemnities except In special
cases such as Belgium and Serbia.
That the question OF Alsace- -Lor-
raine, Trent and Trieste and Poland
and the Balkans should be adjusted
peacefully, with due regard to natural
aspirations.
Proposals Not Unexpected
Pope Benedict's proposals were not
unexpected to the United States, nor
TO any OF the entente allies.
The possibility Of peace move
was discussed with British Foreign
Minister Balfour and Vice Premier
yiyiani when the British and French
official missions were in Washington,
and IL was agreed that all the allies,
including the United States, should
refuse to discuss peace terms while
Germany occupied the territories she
had taken by force, and thereby avoid
what the allied statesmen regarded as
a German trap.
Now the pontif's proposal presents
the question in somewhat different
light. difficult perhaps to meet, be-
cause II offers TO a war weary world
q hope for peace.
Germany and her allies are expect
ed promptly to accept the pope's pro-
posals.
American officials acknowledge that
the vatican's proffer is OF nature
calling for reply. Diplomats of the
entente circle voice nothing but a
unanimous opinion that It will be re-
jected. American officials realize
that convincing reply is required
for the worlds page OF history. But
that the proposals cannot be accept
ed as they stand is certain. That
they will not be accepted at all is
probable.
President VIII Act For Allies
President Wilson is expected to re
ply on behalf Of the allied nations
An unofficial outline OF the popes
communication was received here, but
the Official text has not been re-
ceived. and II has not been estab-
rshed whether II will come through
the Spanish ambassador or the Swiss
minister. Spain and Switzerland are
the only two European neutrals hav-
eng relations with the Vatican.
The first appraisal OF the proposal
by officials and diplomats was that II
was another attempt by Germany,
this time working through Austria be-
cause OF the latter's close relations TO
the Vatican, to accomplish what she |
failed in her first offer OF peace-the |
assembling OF peace delegates at a ]
round table conference. where the
interests OF one ally could be played /
OF against the other. with the disrup-
ton of the grand alliance as the .
stake.
In no quarter Is there any disposi- /
tion to question in any way the good .
faith Of the Vatican. although the
peace activities OF the Roman Catho- (
lie elements In Germany and Austria
have been prominent for several
months.
But. as the unofficial outline dis
closed the terms Of Pope Benedict's
proposal, officials were as,onished TO
realize its similarity with some OF
President Wilson's declarations on the
subject. International agreement 20
enforce peace, reduction OF armament
and recognition OF the national as.
pirations OF the small peoples all were
brought forward by the presiden, in
his epochal addresses before con-
gress
Embarrassment Possible
Although the proposal to leave for
diplomatic discussion such great ques-
tions as italia Irredentia. free Po-
And and Alsace Lorraine might DO
rejected on many grounds. close OBJ
servers foresee the possibility OF EN-
bsrrassments in declining TO discuss
proposals which the president himself
brought before the world.