The daily star-mirror. (Moscow, Idaho) 1911-1939, 1917-08-29

Il WASHINGTON - President wilson
has expressed the convictions of the
democratic nations OF the world in re-
jecting the peace proposal of Pope Ben
edict on the ground that the present
rulers of Germany cannot be trusted
The presidents note, which is certain
to play an important part in history,
Twas made public this morning. 1t
follows:
august 27, 1917.
Pope:
"In Acknowledgement of the COM
munication of your holiness to the
belligerent peoples, dated August 1.
1917, the president 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 dignity and force of the hu
name and generous motives which
prompted it, and must fervently wish
| that we might take the path of peace
he so persuasively points out. But it
would be folly to take it if it does not
in fact lead to the goal he proposes.
Our response must be based upon the
stern facts and upon nothing else. Il
is not mere cessation of arms he
desires; it is a stable and enduring
peace This agony must not be gone
through with again, and it must be
matter Of very sober judgment what
will insure us against it.
Turn the Wheels Back
His holiness, in substance, pro-
poses that we return to the status
quo ante. bellum, and that then there
be a general conformation, disarma-
ment, and a concert of nations, based
upon an acceptance of the principle
of arbitration; that by a similar con,
lished; and that the territorial claims
of France and Italy, the perplexing
problems of the Balkan states and
the restitution of Poland be left to
such concilliatory adjustments as may
be possible in the new tempter of such
a peace, due regard being paid to the
aspirations of the peoples whose po-
Iitical fortunes and affiliations will be |
involved.
Object of War to Free Peoples
1T is manifest that no part of this |
program can be successfully carried |
out unless the restitution Of the status |
quo ante furnished firm and salts
factory basis for it. The object of .
this war is to deliver the free peoples .
of the world from the menace and the
actual power of a vast military estab-s
lishment controlled by an irresponsi-
BILE government which, having Sc
cretly planned to dominate the world,
proceeded to carry the plan out with
out regard either to the sacred obli-
cations OF treaty OF the long estab-
lished practices and long cherished
of international action and
honor; which chose it's own time for
the war; delivered it's blow fiercely I.
and suddenly; stopped at no barrier
either of law or Of mercy; swept a
whole continent within the tide of
the blood Of soldiers only,
out the blood of innocent women and
also, and of the helpless
Door; and now stands baked but not
defeated, the enemy of four-fifths Of
he world. This power is not the
German people; it is no business of
)urs how that great people came
lnder its control or submitted with
zest to the domination of
is purpose: but it is our business to
lee to it that the history of the rest
# the world is no longer left to its
Can't Deal With Junkers /
ITO deal with such a power by way {
# peace upon the plan proposed by t
lis holiness, the pope, would, so far '
8 we can see, involve recuperation I
+ it's strength and renewal of its l
olicy; would make it necessary to i
reate hostile combination OF ma t
Ions against the German people, who b
re its instruments: and would result IT