Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1917-08-16
POPE MAKES PLEA
To BELL|GERENTS
FOR PEACE TERMS
Teuton influence Seen in PapaI
Proposals.
FOR RETURN OF ALL LANDS
Pontiff Wants Supreme Tribunal of
Arbitration to Settle All Future
international Disautes-Wash-
ington Diplomats See Offer
Inspired by Berlin.

inspired by Berlin.
Rome, Italy, Aug. 15.-Peace pro
posals made by Pope Benedict have
been delivered to all the belligerent
governments.
The pope suggests restoration OF
Belgium, Serbia, and Roumania and
peaceful solution of the problems of
AlSace-LOrraine, Trent, Trieste and
Poland.
According to reports received from
Vatican sources, 1t is expected the
proposals will be published by the
Vatican.
Pope includes Wilson Ideas
Washington, Aug. 15.-An unofficial
outline of Pope Benedict's peace pro-
posals received here discloses that
the pontiff includes some Of the princi-
ciples of world peace for which
President Wilson has declared.
ton of ornaments, freedom of the
seas and that there shall be no retail
atOry struggle after the war for world
commercial supremacy. These are re-
galued as the foundation stones OF
the pope's plan.
The pope's proposal declares that
the injuries to all belligerents have
been so great that there should be no
thought of reparatfOn except for the
return Of territory.
Included in the restoration Of terri
tory, the pope's proposals insist,
should be the return to Germany OF
all her colonies, as we'll as the COM
piete restoration Of Belgium to her
sovereignty.
Pope's Proposals Are Long.
The pope's proposals. which already
have been delivered to the resident am
bassadors and ministers Of the war
ring powers in Rome, make in print
more than a column Of large newspa-
per type. Although special efforts are
being made to facilitate transmission
to the United States, this may not be
effected for at least day or two.
Meanwhile an accurate outline OF
the principal points Of the commun1ca-
ton is in the hands Of the govern
ment her and has received thoughtful
consideration.
In eloquent language the ponttf de-
scribes the terrible condition existing
In Europe which he declares is head
ed for destruction unless the belllger-
ents are willing to listen to the ap-
meals of disinterested friends to cease
a suicidal war. Such conditions, the
pope feels, amply justify him in TAX
ing the present opportunity to suggest
what may be, he hopes, at least
foundation upon which peace negotia-
lions may be initiated.
At best Pope Benedicts proposals
are suggested only as rough basis
for such negotiations, and he realizes
that the details In all their completely
must be worked out patiently and In
q spirit of Cancellation by the bellig-
erents.
Endorses Plans Of President.
Unqualified approval of President
Wilson's plan for the avoidance Of flu
ture wars by some form of interna-
tianal organization which shall have
behind it the necessary power to en-
force its judgments Is given by Pope
Benedict, who declares that along with
such a splendid project must go an
effective arrangement for reduction of
ornaments to a point just sufficient
for defensive purposes or to carry out
the mandates Of the world court.
It is inconceivable, the pope holds,
that any permanent peace can be main
tanned unless the various peoples are
willing to gather in an amity founded
upon a recognition Of national rights.
Must Be Freedom Of Seas.
ANY attempt to prevent free econom'
lie action between the belligerents, the
none points out, would be disastrous;
therefore he says there must be free
dom of the seas in all that the term
implies.
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 terri
tory and beside these questions of in
demnity and reparation the pope de-
clares that there must be no continual
ton of the war by an economic strug-
gle for supremacy thereafter which
would be purely evil.
This refers directly to the so-called
Paris economic conference, which was
followed by one in Vienna, where the
effort was made to bind the belliger-
ents On either side after the war to
have virtually no commercial relations
with their late enemies.
On the important question Of the dis
position of occupied territory and the
territorial ambitions of the belligerents
the pope, by way of preface, admits
that special cases might Justify spe-
cial consideration and still be adjust
ed In conformity with the principles
of equity and justice. But, as a gen.
eral proposition, he feels that prop
er basis for discussion would be the
restoration of all territory now In enc
my occuption. That would involve lib
GRAFTON Of Belgium, leaving not trace
Continued on page 4, Column -
ives.