South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-08-16
PEACE OFFER To
Be REJECTED?
Officials, However See Gold
en- Opportunity For Wilson
to State War Aims.

WASHINGTON. Aug. I6.-Confer-
ences among entente diplomats
Wednesday virtually crystalized into
conviction the opinion here that
Pope Benedicts peace move is not
likely 10 change no any substantial
degree the attitude either OF the all
lies or the American government
10 Is agreed. however. that there
must be made response 90 the
pope's proposal far more cOmpre-
heusiye than mere acknowledge
ment Of receipt. To do this without
opening the held 10 argument. which
might result I'm developing differ
ences between the allies 90 be- seized
upon by the Germans is realized 10
be a difficult and delicate undertake
ing
ON the other hand some consider
alton is being given 20 the sugges-
zion that the pontin has given Pres't
Wilson a golden opportunity to again
impress upon the American people
and the world in the most convincing
fashion the rectitude of his position
in recommending 20 congress the
declartion OF a state Of war with
Germany.
Lansing Wary of Traps.
Sec'y Lansing Is reserviug any eN-
preston OF opinion until he has the
official text OF the popes message.
Experience has taught him that OFT
on traps are concealed in diplomatic
communications that are not visible
in any abstract. While there is no
disposition 10 question the good faith
~ the pope il is conceivable that
he might have been imposed upon
10y German cunning into saying that
10 was induced TO take this step
through the pleas OF the strong
Catholic element I'm Austria and Ba-
varia
The official text had not reached
Washington tonight but that fact did
not prevent various diplomatic con-
rerences on the subject Mr. Lansing
talked during the day separately
with Amba ssador Jusserand Of
France and Colville Barclay. charge
OF the British emb assy. in the alb
-ence OF Ambassador Spring Rice
These talks may be regarded as
preliminary 20 the more formal eT-
changes expected % take place
among the allied powers before
answers are returned TO the vatican
proposals. and 10 is understood they
are designed 20 place the foreign
offices a London and Paris i'm pos
session OF the general views Of Sec'y
Lansing as 2 basis for their own ac-
lions
Ambassador Riano Of Spain also
talked with the secretary. who aft
erward indicated that he thought
IRE pope's message might reach him
through that channel
Want No Talk i'm Congress.
Iu anticipation Of am outburst ~
peace talk at the capitol plans We're
made during the day 10y senate lead
ers both democratic and republican,
o. prevent open discussion of the
subject i'm the senate They propose
20 force executive sessions and close
the doors upon the beginning 10y
any senator Of any address bearing
on peace negotiations or the general
subject Of peace.
This program and other measures
q, deal with various pending peace
resolutions and future speeches
probably will be discussed with
Pres't Wilson within the next few
DAYS An executive session of the
senate was planned late today 70
consider closing the doors for peace
debate but the matter went over.
probably until tomorrow
Senator'S OF the small so called
pacifst group are expected 10 op-
pose the secret session program.
The leaders, however. are prepared
to base their action upon the ground
THAT such disc ussions would relate 20
treaties. incIuding "a possible peace
treaty and therefore as is usual i'm
an such matters. should toe carried