Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-08-29
Rejection of Vatican
Proposal High Water
Mark of War
DIRECT APPEAL
GERMAN PEOPLE
Definitely Terminates for Pres
ent All Efforts at Compromise
Peace - Represents View of
All Entente Allied Powers
Joined with America in War
Against Germany

Washington, Aug. 2s.-President
Wilson's rejection Of the Pope's peace
proposals is regarded here as the high
water mark of the war. Furthermore,
I. is indicative Of the virtual selection
Of the President by the Allies as their
spokesman before the world.
The note comes as a climax to the
remarkable series Of state documents
in which President Wilson has argued
the cause Of world democracy against
autocracy in the high court Of public
opinion, and which have been accept
ed more and more by the people Of all
the allied countries as expressing their
ideals.
Selected to Make Reply
There appears to be no doubt that
the United States was selected to
make answer before the world, in ad-
vance Of all the others. Whether the
Entente nations will send extensive re-
plies is not known here. 1t is regarded
as probable that they will, in large
measure, adopt the Presidents reason
ing for their own and send notes Of
endorsement.
The general tenor of the Presidents
reply had been anticipated every
where but there was no inkling of the
forceful terms he would employ to say
that the world can have no faith in the
autocratic government of Germany.
Appeal to German People
Students of diplomacy see in his de-
nunciation of the military autocracy a
fresh appeal to the war-ridden German
people to throw off their military mas
tiers and join democracy with gov
eminent fit to deal with the remain
der of the world
Although this appeal probably will
rot be permitted to become known in
Germany until the autocracy has at
tempted to mould the temper of the
people for its reception by denuncia-
ton through government controlled
press of what has been characterized
as interferences in the internal af-
fairs Of Germany, the hope is that It
will fall on fertile soil
Views Of Entente Powers
Considering the extraordinary char
acter of the Presidents communica-
ton, it is immensely important in
definitely terminating for the present
at least all effort TO reach COM
promise peace and the assured fact
that it represents the views of all
the Entente Allied powers joined with
America in the war against Germany,
the time consumed in the preparation
of the reply was remarkably short.
That the Presidents response to the
Pope's overtures would be a courteous
hut firm declination had been gener-
ally believed. SO that in this respect
at least his communication will cause
no surprise.
No Discussion Of Conditions
i
public attention is the cold deter
nlination not even to permit the sub
ject of peace negotiations to be
preached so long al the evil and DOM
mating forces Of autocracy and mill
tarisn1 control the Central Powers. 1t
is not even necessary to read between
the lines of the Presidents response to
see clearly apparent the purpose. For
this reason the President was not to
be led into any discussion Of the
peace conditions detailed by Pope
Benedict though that field was made
a,luring by the Pontiff's adoption Of
some of the proposals laid down by
President Wilson himself in early ut
terances. On the other hand. there
vas no effort to evade responsibility
for an expression of~ view as to the
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