The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1917-08-29
NO R[PR|SALS
AF TER CONFLICT
SAYS PRESIDENT
Lasting Agreement Can Be Made
Only Directly With Ger
man People
ECONOMIC EQUALITY
MUST NOW BE BASIS
Note to Vatican Is Uncquivocal
Denunciation of the Prus-
sian Autocracy
sian Autocrac,y

Washington, D, c., Aug. 29.-Presi-
dent Wilson, rejecting the pope's
peace proposal, was regarded here to-
day as finally settling the question of
dealing with present German rulers
unconquered or uncurbed at home.
The president makes 1t clear that "a
lasting and durable peace can be nego-
tiated only on a complete understand
ing with the German people and not
alone on unstabled guarantees from
the existing government.
No ReprisaIs.
The note indicates that the Ameri-
can government does not intead post
bellum reprisal on the German people,
but desires in the interest of world
peace that they be allowed to share in
International economic opportunities
If they will accept equality and not
domination"
The note, which is an unequivocal
denunciation of German military de.
mocracy, is believed to reflect accu-
rately the action of the allied gov
ernments.
Under the present rejection Of a
premature peace, the note indicates it
might result in the abandonment of
new born Russia" to the intrigue, the
manifold subtle interference and the
certain counter revolution which
would be attempted by all these ma
lign influences to which the German
government has of late accustomed
the world"
In a note dispatched last night and
made public here today, the presi-
dent says that while every heart not
blinded and hardened by the terrible
war must be touched by the moving
appeal of his holiness, it would be
folly to take the path OF peace, ne
points out, II it does not in fact lead
to the goal he proposes
TO deal with. such power as the
present rulers of Germany upon Pope
Benedict's plan,, declares the presi-
dent. would involve aTrecuperatlOn OF
the strength and renewal OF the world
domination Of that power, now baked
but not defeated after sweeping a con-
tinent with the blood Of innocent wonl'
en- and children and the helpless poor
as well as of soldiers.
Permanent peace must be based up.
on the faith of all the principles OF
Justice and fairness and the common
rights of mankind, he adds, and I'VE
cannot take the word of the present
rulers of Germany as a guarantee OF
ANYTHING that is to endure, unless ex'
plicitly supported by such conclusive
evidence of the will and purpose OF
the German people themselves as the
other peoples of the world would be
justified in accepting
For a Stable Peace.
The text of the note follows:
august q, 1871
"To His Holiness,
"Benedictus XIV, Pope.
I'm acknowledgment OF the commu
nication OF your holiness to the being
erent peoples, dated Aug. 1, 1917, the
nresident of the United States re
nuests me to transmit the following re-
ply: ~, ,oo,
blinded and hardened by TINS terr'oie
war must be touched by this moving
appeal of his holiness, the pope, must
Tee, the dignity and force OF the hu
name and generous motives whlcn
nrompted it and must fervently WISH
that we might take the path Of peace
he so persuasively points out bu'
II would be folly to take it II 1t does
not in fact lead to the goal ne pro
noses, Our response must be baseo
upon the stern facts and upon nothlne
else. It is not mere cessation o,
arms he desires; 1t Is staoie anu
enduring peace. This agony must no,
he gone through with again. and II
must be a matter of very sober Judg
ment that will insure us against 1t.
"His holiness in substance proposes
that we return to the status quo ante
he,,um. and that then there be a gen
oral conformation, disarmament ana q
concert of nations, based upon an &C
ceptance of the principles OF arbltra
tion. that by similar concert Tree
dom of the seas be established and
that the territorial claims of France
and italy, the perplexing problems o.
the Balkan states, and the restitution
of Poland be left to such conciliator!
adjustments as may be possible lr
the new temper of such a peace, due
regard being paid to the aspirations
Of the peoples whose political fortunes
and Affiliations will be involved.
pe,iverance from Military Power.
at is manifest that no part OF tnls
program can be successfully carried
out until the restitution OF the STATUS
ouo ante bellum furnishes hrm ano
satisfactory basis for it. The object
of This war is to deliver the free peo
nles of the world from the menace
and the actual power of vast mill
tary establishment controlled by an If
RESPONSIBLE government which. havins
secretly planned to dominate the
world. proceeded to carry out the plaI
without regard either to the sacred
Obligations of treaty or the long est estao 10
lished practices and long cherished
principles Of international honor
ENN