The Monticellonian., 1917-08-23
POPE BENEDICT'S PEACE PRO.
 POSAL.

This is not the first time that the venerable head of the Catholic church has sent out warning note to warlng nations. Since the establishment of the Christian religion the Popes of all ages have acted as arbitrators in times of war. The present Pope is not only intellectual, but diplomat, and well qualified to fill the position of advisor, as to how the war can best be settled, to the satisfaction of all nations. He is credited with a most intimate ae- ouaintance of international affairs. He is we'll equipped for the role he IS playing. Who is to act as peace max CT, if not the Pope? Our entrance ln- to the war has removed us from the role of peace maker. Spain is in no condition to offer her services-her po- sition is untenable. Almost all other neutral nations are compromised to some extent.
 The morning Graphic seems to think that peace, such as the Pope outlined, would be victory for Germany. How this can be we are unable to fathOm. He proposes "freedom of the seas, Bel ginn, Poland, the territory now occu- pied by Germany, belonging to France, be returned to France, and on the oth. CT hand, all German colonies which have been occupied by England, Portu- gal. Belgium, and Japan should be re- turned to Germany" in fact as far as possible resituation shall be made. This to us sounds as fair for one na- tion as for another. How many can ascribe anything but the loftiest mo. tives of the Popes proposal is amusing. Ike Vatican can certainly have no leaning toward Germany, while Germa- ny has given to the Church some of her greatest scholars and foremost m.n, yet it has been this same Germa- ny thas has caused untold m sery and trouble to the Church The dove of peace has sailed forth to survey the water with plea for peace. Let's all hope it will return with the precious message Pine Bluff Ssess Eagle.
 The Press Eagle, which has q Catholic leaning, is naturally persuaded, through environment and church.training, that pro posal coming from such high Oitholic source should be grave ly and sincerely considered; but to the rest of us, and more es
 peciaily to Us. who regard the opinion of the Pope with no more concern or weight than we would that of any other we'll informed preacher. we must beg the iniul sence of a careful anal ysis "f the proposal before fall
 ing "heels over head1 into 1t.
 We will first answer the Press Eagle's question:: "Who is to act as peace maker, if not the Pnpt?n The allied nations, at war with Germany: for 1t Is their rights that have been in- vaded, their countries that have been devastated, their people that have been robbed, murder ed and debauched, and not those of the Pore of Rome. The peace proposal of the Pope, which the Press Eagle thinks so fair and just, would be as "dead-sea fruit. turning to ashes on the lips" of the people of the deso- lated regions rode to ruin by German hordes. Take the little Belgium as an example. Here was proud. industrious, peace. able people, living in happiness among themselves and with good will to all mankind, when, without warning notice, with out the semblance of excuse or reason, the barbarious Germans forced their frontier, planted their unholy banners upon the walls ot the prosperous cities, and silh torch and bomb laid waste to everA thing that cross ed their path. Not content with this ruthless barbarism, thev dr"ve the Belgians into exile, tor tnred the old, enslaved the Young. and outraged the inno- cent. And, after all this, what is II that the Pope offers poor, impoverished. stricken, Belgium? The return of the land, filled with IT, nchts and debris, and nothing more. Cities swept away by incendiary German fire, homes destroyed and fields. vineyardS and orchards ruined 1t would be poor compensation for the ruin which Germany has wrought. If the Pope wants peace, and such an one as would be fair, just and equitable, let