Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1917-08-16
REPLY TO POPE
DELICATE SUBJECT
U. s. Does Not Want to Start
Argument That Might Sep.
arate Allies.
LANSING Is RETICENT.
vatican's Good Faith in Peace Proposal
Not Questioned but German Gun.
ming Has to be Considered.

ming Has to BE Considered,
Washington. Aug. 15-Conferences
| among entente diplomats to-day crystal.
lized into conviction the opinion here that
Pope Benedicts peace move is not likely
to change In any substantial degree the
attitude either of the allies or the Ameri-
can government.
| 1t is agreed, however, that there must
be made a response to the Pope's pro.
posal far more comprehensive than o
mere acknowledgment of receipt. To dc
this without opening the field to argu-
ment which might result in developing
differences between the allies to be seized
upon by the Germans is realized to be
difficult and delicate undertaking.
On the other hand some consideration
is being given to the suggestion that the
Pontiff has given President Wilson a
golden opportunity to again impress upon
the American people and the world in the
most convincing fashion the rectitude Of
his position in recommending to Congress
| the declaration of state of war with
Germany.
| LANSING RESERVES OPINION.
Secretary Lansing is reserving any ex-
preston of opinion until he has the Off.
cial text Of the Pope's message. Experi-
ence has taught him that often traps are
concealed in diplomatic communications
that are not visible in any abstract. While
there Is no disposition to oqueston the good
faith of the Pope. 1t is conceivable that he
might have been imposed upon by German
cunning. assuming that he has been in
duced to take this step through the pleas
Of the strong Catholic elements in Austria
and Bavaria.
The official text had not reached Wash.
ington tonight, but that fact did not pre-.
vent various diplomatic conferences or
the subject. Mr.. Lansing talked during the
day separately with Ambassador Jusse-
rand Of France and Colville Barclay,
charge of the British embassy in the abb
sence of Ambassador Spring-Rice.
These talks may be regarded as prelimi.
nary to the more formal exchanges ex-
pected to take place among the allied
powers before answers are returned to the
Vatican proposals, and it Is understood
they are designed to place the foreign Of
nee in London and Paris in possession OF
the general views of Secretary Lansing
as basis for their own actions.
| Ambassador Riano of Spain also talked
with the secretary. who afterward indi-
Gated that he thought the Pope's mes
sage might reach him through that chan
nel
TO STOP OPEN DISCUSSION.
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 Of any senator of an address
| bearing on peace negotiations or the gen.
eral subject of peace.
| This program and other measures to
| deal with various pending peace resolu
| tions and future speeches probably will
be discussed with President Wilson with
in the next few days. An executive ses-
sion Of the Senate was planned late to-
day to consider closing the doors for
peace debate but the matter went over.
probably until tomorrow.
| Senators, a small so-called paciflst
group. are expected to expose the secret
| session program. The leaders. however.
| are prepared to base their action upon
| the ground that such discussions would
| relate to treaties, including a possible
peace treaty. and these. as is usual in all
such matters, should be carried on be-
hind closed doors.
| Adherance to the secret session plan
would materially affect speeches plan
foreign relations committee. and by Sena-
tor La Toilette and others on the Wis
| consin senator's resolution proposing that
this nation and the allies make more
definite announcement of possible peace
! terms.
OPPORTUNITY FOR PRESIDENT.
Those who expect President Wilson to
| make his reply to the Pope. the occasion
| for re-statement Of America reasons
for going to war, think something of the
| same kind may be done in London, Paris
and Rome to meet socialist Unrest. with
the purpose of directing activities Of
socialists into proper channels rather
than trying to suppress them by force.
1t was pointed out in diplomatic quarters
here, for instance. that the speech of
Albert Thomas in the French Chamber OF
Deputies last Sunday. showed that he
was in line with the French socialistic
program as declared last week in Paris
| This was by no means antagonistc tc
the governmental policies so far as the
objects prosecution of the war was
concerned, but did seek to secure a dis
closure of the ends in view. with the hope
of capturing the Stockholm conference
for the cause of democracy.
| Again to-day the fact appeared that
without exception every representative
Of the entente allied powers is bitterly op-
posed to that phase of the Pope's propos-
ais which would leave to the fate of
round table conference the disposition OF
such questions as Alsace-Lorraine, Poland
and Italia Irredentia and 1t was recalled
that precisely that bait was held out by
Chancellor Bethmann Hollweg to remove
the liability OF such persons to German
military service.
In many respects this position comedies
with that assumed in neutral protests
against the drafting of aliens here who
have taken out first papers. President
Wilson is considering these protests but ir
the meantime Provost General Crowdei
Is placing such men on the rolls Of the ma,
tional army. The President is expected t.
pass on the point shortly. 1t Is know
that he hesitates to follow the plan o.
President Lincoln. who gave frst papei
men the option Of either fighting In thu
Union army or going back to their owl
country on 60 days notice.
SIX MORE MEN NEEDED.