Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1917-08-30

The text OF the note follows:
August 81, 1917.
ITO His Holiness.
''Benedictus XIV.
Pope:
I'm acknowledgment OF tho communi-
cation Of Your Holiness to the belligerent
peoples. dated August 1, 1O17. the Presi-
dent Of the United States requests me
to transmit the following reply:
Every heart that has not been blinded
and hardened by this terrible war must
be touched by this moving appeal of
His Holiness, the Pope, must feel the
generous motives which prompted it,
and must ferventiy wish that we might
take the path Of peace he so persuasively
points out But 1t would be folly to take
1t if 1t does not in fact lead to the
goal he proposes. Our response must
be based upon the stern facts and upon
nothing else. 1t Is not a mere cessation
Of arms he desires: 1t is a stable and en-
gone through with again. and 1t must be
a matter Of very sober judgment what
will insure us against 1t.
STATUS QUO ANTE -BELLUM.
His Holiness in substance proposes
that we return to the status quo ante
bellum and that then there be a general
condona tion, disarmament and a concert
Of nations. based upon an acceptance
of the principle of arbitration: that by
a, similar concert freedom Of the seas
be esta blished; and that the territorial
claims of France and Italy, the perplex-
ing problems Of the Balkan States. and
the restitution Of Poland be left to such
concilatory adjustments as may be pos
sible in the new temper of such a peace,
due regard being paid to the aspirat tons
Of the peoples whose political fortunes
and affiliations Will be involved.
'1t Is manifest that no part Of this
program can be successfully carried out
unless the restitution Of the status quo
H,srv, ,iotaA na1 tafa ,k<~rx
basis for 1t. The object OF this is
to deliver the free peoples of the world
from the menace and the actual power
OF vast military establishment con-
trolled by an irresponsible government
which, having secretly planned to domi-
nate the world. proceeded to carry the
plan out without regard either to the
sacred obligations Of treaty or the long
established practices and long cherished
principles of international action and
honor: which chose it's own time for the
war: delivered its blow fercely and sud
denly; stopped at no barrier either Of
law or Of mercy; swept a whole continent
within the tide of blood-not the blood
Of soldiers only. but the blood OF inno-
cent women and children. also, and Of the
helpless poor: and now stands baked
ffths of the world. This power is not
the German people. 1t is the ruthless
master Of the German people. 1t is
no business of ours how that great peo-
PIE came unuer ltS control or submitted
with temporary zest TO the domlna tion
of its purpose; but It is our business to
see to II that the history of the rest of
the world is no longer left to its hand.
ling.
INVOLVES REGENERATION OF
GERMANY.
ITO deal with such a power by way of
peace upon the plan proposed by His
Holiness, the Pope, would, SO far as we
can see, involve recuperation OF its
strength and renewal OF Its policy
would make ii necessary to create a per-
manent hostile combination OF nations
against the German people who are its
Instruments; and would result in aban-
doning the newborn Russia to the in
trigue. the manifold subtle Interference