The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1917-08-14
RECEIVED AT WASHINGTON.
Comes Unofficially And Action Cannot
BE Taken At This Time.

Washington, Aug. 1.-THE state de
partment acknowledges that It has re-
ceive1 unofficial knowledge of Pope
Benelict's peace proposals before To-
days news dispatches We're received
here. No official cognizance can be
taken Of it until the proposal is con.
veyed officially. Whatever considera.
ton is given TO it will be after consul
tation with the allies
At the office Of the apostolic delegate
all knowledge Of the pope's proposal
was disclaimed It was said the papal
delegate had not transmitted it to the
United States government and did not
expect TO do 50. The opinion was ex-
pressed that it would come through a
neutral government
Within the entente diplomatic circle
the opinion was freely and promptly
expressed that the peace proposal was
inspired by Germany and was an at.
tempt TO split the allies in a conflicting
discussion of their war aims
The extent Of the state departments
information does not indicate through
what channel the proposal viii be con.
veyed and gives no information from
which an inference might be drawn as
to whether il will come through one OF
the allied governments or through a
dignitary OF the church.
No Official View Expressed
Officials We're unusually explicit, in
saying that it could not be discussed
until II came officially before the gov.
ernment and were emphatic in declaring
that no statement whatever could be
represented as rejecting the official
view.
II an inference might be drawn from
the undercurrents which were started
In official circles by the report, train
ed observer would venture the opinion
that the proposal is one which woult
be discussed in good faith by the allies
but that It does not meet their war aims
II was indicated that peace pro
posal coming from the pope-the frs
lactual proposal Of the kind to come from
the vatican-would necessarily have {,
be considered carefully and deliberately
and that an answer convincing III,
world would necessarily have 10 b,
made.
How far the peace proposal reflects
the close friendship Of the vatican will
Austria, whose earnest desire for peac,
despite German influence is well known
or how far 1t reflects the Catholic agi
tation for peace in Germany no on,
here would venture 10 say II was re
called, however. that leading Catholics
were prominent figures in the recen
peace furry in Germany.
Spain May BE Gobetween.
Announcement that the Spanish am
baSsador at Rome had transmitted Pop
Benedict's proposals TO the Italian gov
ernment and the opinion expressed a
the apostolic delegation headQuarter
here that they might be delivered 4
the United States by a neutral led to tn
possibility that the Spanish ambassa
dor here. Juan Riano. might conve.
them to the state department.
The Spanish emhassy's only informa
tion today, II was said, there had bee
received from The Associated Press di:
patches.
Paper Is Long One.
, The pope's proposal, already delivere
to the resident ambassadors and mini,
ters OF the warning powers In Rome.
quite long. taking in print somethin
more than column Of large newspape
type. Although special efforts are b
ing made TO facilitate its transmissio
TO the United States, this may not b
effected for at least day or two
Meanwhile. however, an accurate GU
line OF the pope's communication is
the hands OF the government here an
already has received thoughtful col
sideration.
/. In eloquent language, the pontin d
. scrlbes the terrible conditions obtainin
. In Europe which he declares is heads
= for destruction unless the belligeren
: are willing to listen to the appeals
disinterested friends to cease a suicid