The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1917-08-24
PRESIDENT WILSON WILL NAME
PEACE TERMS OF WORLD
Pope's Proposals Open Way for Amer.
lean Executive to Act AS Head OF
Greatest OF Belligerent Nations
(By L. Harper Leech)

(By L. Harper Leech)
Washington, Aug. 21.-Pers. Will
son, as head of the greatest belliger-
ent, will name the peace terms.
1t vas the presidents ambition to
settle the war as mediator. Hohen-
| zollern frightfulness cheated him Of
that, but the fates have decreed he
shall play the role anyhow.
Pope Benedict has probably opened
the way for the president to start
the drive which will end in peace-al-
| though it may be months or years
! away.
The pope's proposal turns ont tc
| DE document similar to the presi-
dents peace without victory speech"
Denounced at first as pro-German
it will eventually be found fatal to
Berlin's aspirations.
Whether the pope's plea was con-
{ ceived by him or by some other SUBJ
| tie brain in the vatican or at Vienna
both schools of the profoundest d..
| plomacy-it is the most dangerous
blow aimed at Prussianism since the
war began
| The pope's plea is related to the
reichstag revolt engineered by the
South-German Catholic party against
i the Prussian war aims, which brought
| on the recent abortive political crisis
at Berlin.
! The pope's letter invites President
Wilson to widen this split by a suit
able reply. Master Of diplomacy and
language, Wilson Of course, will seize
the opportunity. He will make coun-
ter proposals aimed at Prussia, not
Germany.
= If Prussia answers uafavorably the
whole Berlin peace bluff will be ex-
posed and South Germany and Aus
Ettia will be shown they are. fighting
for Prussian aggrandizement alcae.
On the other hand. if Russia agrees
to Wilson's proposals, the kaiser will
have lost the war and German nilt-
tarism will be, on its death bed.
The allies realize Wilson has the
key, and that they must yield him
leadership and sacrifice territorial or
commercial ambitions.
Lloyd-George has said the only
issue is the victory of democracy
! thereby waving the whole question
Of return of the German colonies,
Mesopotamia or indemnity.
This:is ;excatly Wilson's position
| p America is interested in questions
| Of territory and indemnity-only Is
these things may be means Of de-
| stroying German autocracy.
II that can be accomplished without
annexation Or indemnity" or BY any
other formula. the president is WILL,
ing to do it that way.
! Consequently if is not difscnIt 70
forecast the presidents reply to the
! pope 1t will be entirely favorable
with big If planted exactly whe-e
the pope expected it. and prepared
place for It.
In the language of the street, the
presidents reply will pass the buck
to Prussia-the alternative Of peace
or continued war.
II she elects war she will also face
aissension in South Germany and
Austria and trouble at home.
The president will emphasize the
point in the pope's letter above all
things repugnant to Prussia-that Is
the proposal for disarmament. That
the Berlin military gang will resist
to the last.
President Wilson will say that 1t Is
the mots important and that II Prus-
sia will give sufficient guaranty or
pledge Of good faith peace negotia-
tions can begin on the understanding
that disarmament is agreed to.
That pledge will be the evacuation
of paje;rn,