The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1917-08-30
Even Allied Governments
Were Not Prepared For
Such Quick Action
EXPECT REVOLT In
GERMANY TO GROW
Struggle for Parliamen-
tary Reform is Given
Impetus by Answer
CRy Associated Press.l

" aug DAoSobbhOAi
Of President Wilson's rejection of the
Pope's peace proposals in diplomatic
circles yesterday revealed that even
some of the entente governments
were unprepared for the prompt
fashion in which the President dis
posed of a matter Of such tremen-
dous 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 on as the nation to speak first,
but some of the allied foreign offices,
accustomed to long deliberated
moves in diplomacy, regarded the
exchanges that had been going on
between Washington and their own
capitals as barely completed. They
had rather expected further discus
sion OF the time for dispatching re-
plies.
1t was realized. however, by the
entente representatives in WASH
ington that President Wilson must
have had some good and sufficient
reason for acting so quickly. Specu-
lation ascribes the motive to de-
sire to impress favorably the great
Russian convention at Moscow while
that body still is in a plastic and
receptive state. 1t also was suggested
that the President might have wish
ed to anticipate by his remarkable
state paper, obstructive action by
the pacific elements in and out Of
congress in the United States.
Comment Awaited.
No retoinder from the Vatican is
expected here in the immediate fu-
ture.. Comment from the press Of
Europe, including Germany and
Austria, is awaited with interest.
Bitter attacks upon the American
note by the German press and pos
sibly condemnatory speeches by
German officials are fully expected
when the Presidents reply is finally
allowed to leak through the censors
to the German public. But for the
present, at least, no further attempts
at peace negotiations on the old
basis, involving a continuance in
power of the present autocratic Ger
man regime is anticipated.
While the Germans may wage war
with added desperation because OF
the sweeping indictment Of their
methods, 1t Is confidently believed
here that the spirit Of revolt will
develop steadily and rapidly among
the people in Germany, bringing
nearer the day when they will assert
themselves to the point where Presi-
dent Wilson may feel safe In listen
ing to the peace overtures in the
conviction that they are from Ger
man people themselves and not from
the over lords and military despots.
President Wilson realized the
force of the objection that has come
from some quarters to what might
be regarded as q disposition on his
part to impose a form Of govern
ment on Germany. It can be stated
that nothing was further from his
thought than such a disposition. He
meant Just what he said in, the note,
that the word of the present auto
cratic rulers of Germany cannot be
taken for anything that is to endure
unless supported by the Will OF the
German people themselves. AS to
Germany has an imperial or
a republican form of government,
it is conceded that the remainder OF
the world has nothing to do.
The struggle for parliamentary re-
form is being watched with the
keenest interest, and while 1t was
said at the state department yes
terday that no official advices are
as yet at hand regarding the devel-
opments, 1t would not be matter OF
surprise IL there were some sudden
and important manifestations or
the popular will in Germany. Signs
Of such an outcome are. found in the
half way efforts of Premier Mich
aelis to meet the demands of the
reichstag committees by his project
I'd cabinet representative OF the
more powerful political parties in
Germany, certainly long step In the
direction of parliamentary control of
the government.
The Argentine Straw.
The German Argentine negotia-
lions. insincere and hollow as they |
ire believed to be on the part OF |
Germany, are viewed officially here |
Is another evidence of the weaken
ing of Grmany's aggressive policies,
and to that extent as perhaps de-
signed to mollify the United States |
as we'll as neutral mari
lime nations, and so to AFFORD a fresh |
basis for peace negotiations.
When the response to Pope Bene-
lict's proposals will go forward from |
he allied governments is unknown |
% the state department.
Approval of the Presidents note |
vas expressed generally at the |
capitol yesterday by members OF all
parties. There was no discussion OF |
L on the floor of either house, al
though Senator Stone touched upon |
he subject of peace in speech de-
bouncing newspapers for attacking |
1im. He said he never had intended
a peace resolution as i
,oYne of his CRITICS had stated.