The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1917-08-29

prompted ii and must IcrNcntly wish
that we NIGH, take the path OF peace
he so persuaSiV"ly points out But :t
would be folly tn take /, If il does not
IN tact lead To the goal he proposes.
Our Response must be based upon tho
stern facts and upon nothing else 1t
IS not Il mere cessation OF arms ho
desires: 1t Is a stable ana enduring
peace. This agony must not be gon0
through with again and II must be a
matter OF very sober Judgment that
will insure MS against T..
What His Holiness Proposes.
Ills holiness i'll substance proposes
that we return to the status quo ante.
hrlnm and that then there will be a
general combination disarma menL and
"A concert OF nations based upon an
acceptance of tho principles of arbi-
iralion: that by similar concert
freedom OF the seas be established and
that the territorial claims OF France
and Italy. tn" prevailing problems Of
the Balkan states and tn" restitution
of Poland ho lrft to such coneiliatory
adjustments as may be possible in the
new temper of such Il peace. due re-
gard being paid to the aspirations OF
the peoples, whose political fortunes
and affiliations Will be involved
Why It Is impossible.
1t is manifest that no part of this
program can be successfully carried
out unless the restitution of tho
status quo ante belmm furnishes u
firm and satisfactory basis for it. The
obj, ct OF this war Is to deliver tho
, free peoples OF the world from the
menace and actual power OF Il vast
military establishment controlled by
an irresponsible government which.
having socretely planned to dominate
tn. world, proceeded to carry ont the
plan without regard either to the
sacred obligations of treaty OF the
long established practices and long
| cherished principles of interna tional
action ana honor: which chose its
| own time for the war. delivered its
blow ficrcely and suddenly, stopped
at no barrier either of law or OF
| mercy; swept Il whole continent with
| the tide OF hlood--not the blood OF
| soldiers, only. but the blood OF in
noccnt women and children also, and
of the helpless poor; and now stands
| baked, but not defeated. the enemy OF
| four frths Of the world.
| Power Must Be Destroyed
! This power Is not the German pco.
| Pie. 1t is the ruthless master of the
| German people. 1t Is no business OF
! ours how that great people came un-
| der it's control or submitted with
temporary zcst TO the domination OF
| it's purpose; hut it Is our business to
| So" to it that the history of the rest
| pf NrprIl L. LOT
| handling.
To deal with such Il power by way
| of peace upon the plan proposed by
| his holiness. the pope so far as we can
| see. involve a recuperation of Its
| strength and Il renewal of its policy:
would make 1t necessary to create q
permanent hostile combination OF ma
tions against the German people. whS
| are it's instruments: and would re-
suit in abandoning the new born Rus.
sin to the intrigue, the manifold
| subtle Interference. and the certain
counter revolution which would be at
tempted by all the malign influences
to which the German government has
| of late accustomed the world. Can
peace be based upon a restitution OF
it's power or upon any word of honor
it could pledge in n treaty of settle.
ment and accommodation?
Bases Peace on Peoples Rights.
Irresponsible statesmen must now
everywhere see if they never saw be.
fore that no peace can rest securely
upon political Or economic restrictions
. meant to benefit some nations and
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