Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-08-15
POSSIBILITY HAD
BEEN CONSIDERED

w d. ming lC1l, Aug. III opS ASiiS
diets peace proposals were not unex-
pected to the United States nor to any
of the Entente Allies.
The possibility of a peace move was
discussed with British Foreign Minis
ter Balfour and Vice Premier Wilma
when the British and French official
missions were in Washington and 1t
was agreed that all the allies, includ-
ing the United States, should refuse to
discuss peace terms while Germany
occupied the territories she had taken
by force and thereby avoid what the
allied statesmen regard as German
trap.
In Different Light
Now the Pontiff's proposals places
the question in a somewhat different
light. difficult perhaps to meet, be-
cause it offers to war-weary world
a hope for peace.
Germany and her allies are expected
pl or pity to accept the Pope's propos-
ais.
American officials acknowledge that
the Vatican's proffer is Of a nature
calling for a reply. Diplomats Of the
Entente circle voice nothing but
unanimous opinion that it will be re-
jected. American officials realize that
convincing reply is required for the
worlds page of history. But that the
proposals cannot be accepted as they
stand is certain. That they will not be
accepted at all is probable.
An Unofficial Outline
An unofficial outline Of the Pope's
communication was received here this
morning Members Of the Presidents
cabinet said it had not been discuss
ed at this afternoons meeting. but
some of the Presidents official family
gave signs of the difficulty it has pre-
scented. Tonight the official text had
rot been received and it had not been
established whether it would come
through the Spanish ambassador or
the Swiss minister. Spain and Swift
zerland are the only two European
neutrals having relations with the
Vatican.
Ire first appraisal Of the proposal by
officials and diplomats was that an
other attempt by German, this time
working through Austria because Of
the latter's close relations to the Eati
can to accomplish what she failed in
her first offer of peace-the assembling
Of peace delegates at a round table
conference where the interests of one
ally could be played off against the
other with the disruption of the grand
alliance as the stake. In no quarter
is there any disposition to question in
any way the good faith of the Vatican.
although the peace activities of the
Roman Catholic elements in Germany
and Austria have been prominent for
several months.
Some Ideas Like Wilson's
But, as the unofficial outline dis
closed the terms of Pope Benedict's
proposal, officials were astonished to
realize its similarity with some Of
President Wilson's declarations on the
subject. International agreement to
enforce peace, reduction Of armament
and recognition of the national aspi-
rations of the small peoples all were
brought forward by the President in
his epochal address before. Congress.
Although the proposal to leave for
diplomatic discussion such great ques-
tons as Italia Irredentia, a free Po-
land and Alsace- Lorraine might be re-
jected on many grounds, close obser-
vers foresee the possibility of embar-
easements in declining to discuss pro-
posals which the President himself