Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1917-08-17
(By Morning journal Special Leased WIRE,

washington Aug. 16.--Premiel
Lloyd Georges optimistic speech il
the British parliament today was in,
terpreted here as preliminary ndi.
cation of the attitude the allied ma.
tons may be expected to adopt to.
ward any discussion of peace on Il
basis which might permit Germany
as ccnqueror to dictate terms.
News of the premiers speech came
while the state department was re-
ceiving by cable from the British for
eign office the text of Pope Benedict's
message to the leaders OF all belliger-
ent nations proposing "A basis fo'
peace negotiations and earnestly np-
pealing for its consideration. In en-
tente diplomatic quarters and among
government officials Mr.. Lloyd
Georges announcement of improve
ment in food conditions, removing the
danger of England being starved into
submission, his assurance that losses
through submarine attacks continued
to decrease and his declaration that
there would be sufficient tonnage fol
1918 and for 1919 If necessary were
hailed joyfully as Il sign of Great
Britain's safe position and firm atti-
tude.
Reply VIII BE Delayed.
The pope's message vas laid before
President Wilson by Secretary Lans-
ing. Important conferences which
must precede reply will begin short
ly, but necessarily some time must
elapse before the response goes for
ward.
While there already have been
many informal conferences among Of
ficials and diplomats regarding the
pope's proposals, it may be stated on
Secretary Lansing's authority that the
secretary so far has not discussed the
subject with the president and also
has refrained from communicating
his views regarding the character OF
reply which should be made to any
of the many diplomatic callers he has
had since the first press notice of the
dispatch of the pope's communication
Mr. Lansing has felt that ii would
be improper to indicate even in a
ptI oolitti way NliN llt AiiotbhN Va NV
communication, and he has also dep
recated any attempt by the newspa-
pers to forecast the action of the gov
ernment in this matter, as likely tc
prove very embarrassing.
Entente Diplomats Firm.
Among other officials and the dip
lomats, however there is no such ret
icence. While battles have increased
in number and waxed in intensity
end the slaughter has continued IN
the most distressful manner, 1t, is
pointed out there has been no such
change in general war conditions as
would warrant different reception
than would have been accorded to
those made a year ago. Attention is
directed to the fact that any such
changes as may have occurred in the
military situation have made 1t dis
tinctly to the advantage OF the CEN
trail powers to endeavor to make
peace now.
Notwithstanding the different and
conflicting statements made by Ger
man and Austrian ministers as to a
basis of peace negotiations, it is de-
clared by some of the diplomats who
have closely studied the situation that
nowhere has there been any real evil
dence of an abandonment of the first
German demand for peace based ION
the map" which would insure the
central powers actual military, If not
technical and political, control of the
territories in possession of the Ger
nanic< troops when peace is declared.
Tide Has Turned.
The Germans. in possession of most
of Belgium and a large part of France,
were quite willing a year ago to make
peace but when the Russians were in
possession of some of their best east
ern provinces the Austrian govern
ment was not of a like mind. Now
1t is pointed out by the entente diplo-
mats as result of the collapse of the
Russian offensive and the clearing of
Galicia of Russian troops, the Aus
trian government also is willing and
anxious for peace, as are the Ger
mans in the knowledge that the tide
has turned against them in the west
and that next year probably will find
them in possession of little or no
French and Belgian territory.
1t is admitted by these diplomats
that it is inconceivable that the Vat
ican should have been influenced by