Evening capital and Maryland gazette. (Annapolis, Md.) 1910-1922, 1917-08-22
ALLIES IN ACCORD TO
REFUSE POPE'SPLAN
, Americas Reply May Coincide
With Pershing's First Push
PRICE ON SOFT COAL CUT
Reduced To Base Of $2-Meat En-
ports Embargo Comes Next on
Government Program

All doubt appears TO have been re-
moved with reference to the response
that the allied nations will make to
the peace offer of Pope Benedict. II
is now accepted as certain that all the
Allies, individually and collectively,
will notify the Vatican that the Pope's
proposals cannot be accepted.
The Entente Powers will reply, II
is believed in an identical note sent
through the medium of Great Britain,
although Russia may make some sup
Elemental communication to explain
her particular aims in her present
political situation The United States
that will be in general agreement
with the response of the Entente.
lnterst in official and diplomatic
circles was devoted mainly to the
probable conditions that will be Gre
ated through the negative attitude OF
the nations engaged in fighting Ger
many Among some OF those con-
cerned the opinion prevails that while
the Pope may be discouraged over
the non-success of his efforts to end
the war, he will not abandon his ac-
tiyity and will take advantage of
every opportunity to keep alive the
discussion of peace terms.
Expect TeutOnic Backing For Pope.
The Pope's action is known to have
the sympathy of neutral countries.
which desire the restoration of peace
and profess not to be greatly concern
ed, as a matter not affecting them, by
the conditions. 1t is believed also TO
please the Central Powers and their
allies.
Germany, with a new Imperial
Chancellor, to whom attaches none of
the responsibility of the many miscar-
riages of Teutonic diplomacy since the
war began, is expected, with the back
ing of Aastria-Hungary. Bulgaria,
and Turkey to encourage the Vatican
to continue its efforts, accepting, with
reservations, the Pope's plan for end
ing the conflict.
Embargo On Meat Exports Next.
Information has been obtained that
within forty-eight hours complete
embargo will be placed on expectation
of meats
After the order is effective, the
Food Administration will determine
the quantities of meats that may be
shipped to allied countries, and the
Exports Council will carry out the
decision reached.
President Cuts Soft Coal Price.
President Wilson issued a sweeping
order yesterday fixing the base price
of bituminous coal in all of the big
producing districts at approximately
50 a ton. 81 a ton under the schedule
agreed upon at a recent conference of
coal operators with the Coal Produc-
tion Committee of the Council of Ma
tional Defense. Secretary Lane of the
Interior Department, and Commits
sioner Fort of the Federal Trade
Commission.
At this conference a price of SO a
ton had been fixed for bituminous coal
at the mouth of the mine and $3.50
for special sizes, with a reduction or
so cents a ton on Government con-
tracts. The conference decision was
repudiated in the War and Navy De-
partments.
The President. in his order. did not
differentiate between the Government
and the consuming public but, ap-
parently. named one price for all.
This is entirely in keeping with his
address of July u. when he said that
in all essential commodities there
should be a single price.
To Cover Movements OF ssSammies.'
The first official summary of the
war activities of the United States
will be issued in a few days by Secre-
tary Baker. to be followed weekly
thereafter with statements of such
matters as may be disclosed without
violating military precautions.
When American troops get into ac-
ton in France daily statements are
likely TO be issued, founded upon the
reports from General Pershing.
Regarding the rumors of disasters
TO American troops that are constant
ly being circulated. Mr.. Baker reiter-
ated the pledge of the Administration
to withhold no news of misadventure
of the forces from the public. Every
untoward happening will be announe-
ed promptly, he said, and the public
might rest assured that no news
meant good news to that extent.
The extent to which naval happen
ings can be made public is a differ
ent matter. Secretary Daniels has
promised that news of disasters will
be given out with as little delay as
possible, but it is not to be expected
that the extent of damage to naval
craft temporary disablement of de-
stroyers or other vessels. either as
a result of action or through accident,
viii be disclosed. The practice of all
countries has been to keep the enemy
as much in the dark as possible on
such matters.