Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-08-30
ALLIES SURPRISED
AT PROMPT REPLY
Unprepared for Presidents Ac-
ton in Disposing Of Pope's
Note So Quickly.
FOREIGN COMMENT AWAITED
Spirit of Revolt Expected to De-
velop Steadily and Rapidly
Among German People.
FOREIGN COMMENT AWAITED
II,v Arsocin,ed Prc..-1

WASHINGTON August 29.-Discus-
sion of President Wilson'S rejection OF
the Pope's peace proposals in diplo-
matte circles to-day revealed that even
some of the entente governments were
unprepared for the prompt fashion in
which the President disposed of mat
ter of such tremendous Importance.
There had been no doubt at any time
as to the general nature Of the reply.
and the understanding is that the
United States was generally looked
some Of the allied foreign Offices ex-
pected further discussion.
1t is realized. however. by the en-
tente representatives in Washington
that President Wilson must have had
some good and sufficient reason for
acting SO quickly. Speculation ascribes
the motive to desire TO impress fav-
orably the great Russian convention at
Moscow while that body is still in a
receptive state. 1t also was suggested
that the President might have wished
to anticipate obstructive action by the
pacitist elements in and out of Con-
gress
NO REJOINDER EXPECTED
IN IMMEDIATE FUTURE
No rejoinder from the Vatican is ex-
pected here In the immediate future
Comment frum the press of Europe. is
awaited with interest Bitter attack 8
upon the American note by the German
press and possibly condemnatory
speeches by German officials are fully
expected.
.aTf 1aN -
with added desperation because of the
il is confidently believed here that the
spirit of revolt Will develop steadily
and rapidly among the people in Ger
many, bringing nearer the day when
they will assert themselves to the point
where President Wilson may feel safe
in Iisten ening to peace overtures
President Wilson realizes the force
of the objection that has come from
some quarters to what might he re-
garded as a disposition on his part to
impose a form of government on Ger
many. 1t can be stated that nothing
was further from his thought than
such a disposition. He meant that the
word of the present autocratic rulers
of Germany cannot be taken for any
thing that is to endure. unless sup
ported by the will OF the people them
selves. AS to whether Germany has
an imperial or republica. form of
government. it is conceded that the
remainder of the world has nothing
to do.
STRUGGLE BEING WATCHED
WITH KEENEST INTEREST
The struggle for parliamentary re-
form is being watched with the keen
est interest and while it was said at
the State Department to-day that no
official advices are as yet at hand re-
gardng the developments. it would not
be a matter of surprise if there were
some sudden and important manifesto
tions of the popular will in Germany.
When the responses to Pope Bene-
diets peace proposals will go forward
from the allied governments is un-
known to the State Department.
Approval of the Presidents note was
expressed generally at the Capitol to-
day by members of all parties.
kilograms from all parts of the
country began to pour into the White
House to-day approving President w:I-
sons reply to Pope Benedicts peace
proposals.
Upon motion of Senator Brady, who
characterized it as Il last farewell to
the autocracy OF the world. President
Wilson'S reply TO the Pope's peace
proposals was ordered printed to-day
in the Congressional Record
While II rejects the Pope's pro-
posals," said he. lit points the way
Tor the other nations to reach peace
in a fair and honorable manner"