The sun., 1917-08-15
Proposes the Restoration Of
Belgium, Serbia and
Rumania.
NOTHING NEW OFFERED
England Thinks 1t Likely
More Definite PROPOSE
tion Will Follow.
BERLIN'S PLANS SEEN
Will Delay Next Step Two
Months to See Americas
War Strength.
BERLIN'S PLANS SEEN

oPeCtV OoOie DeeputCH W Ahh ouNs
LONDON, Aug. 14.-Another peace kite
appeared on the horizon this afternoon
when It became known the Pope had ad-
dressed to belligerents and neutrals q
rev appeal for cessation OF hostiltttes.
The correspondent OF THE SUN learns
that in Government circles the Pope's
letter Ia regarded merely as a reiayed
message from Berlin.
Although full details OF the document
have not been received here, the sug-
gestion for the restoration OF Belgium.
Serbia and Rumania is approximately
what Germany has already offered un.
ofiicially. With no mention OF the
restoration Of occupied French territory.
but with a hint OF the return OF Ger
many's African colonies. the message
might as well have come from Germany.
Depends on America.
No one here doubts that this is q
move on the part of Germany to keep
peace talk in full swing. II is known
positively that Germany intends to wait
two months more, possibly until the end
OF October 70 that Eshe can make some
definite estimate OF the strength which
the United States intends TO throw into
he war. Upon this will depend Ger
many's action.
If America proves she can bring her
enormous strength to bear in the battle
line by October then the Kaiser's Gov
eminent intends 10 begin a great peace
drive. resorting to every channel availa-
/ BILE, whether II be Stockholm or Rome.
On the other hand II Germany comes to
the conclusion that America cannot de-
velop her strength for another year Ger
| many will let matters rest as they ara
and depend on the submarine campaign
| TO bring proposals of peace from the
/ Entente Powers Reports from @ dozen
, different sources say Germany has
| definitely decided to abandon unre-
| stricted submarine warfare in case
Americas strength proves formidable.
Labor Attitude.
\ recent message from Rome declared
the Pope had told members Of his en-
tourage he believed the end Of the war
would come sooner than was generally
expected. Those In close touch with the
vatican said at the time that both Ger
many and Austria had put out feelers
| and had even gone 10 far as to state
! peace conditions and ask direct neEotla-
tions. They regard the papai announce
ment AZ mere talk. unslbst ntal and
meaningless. II is regarded as the out
| come of the continued discussion regard
ing the Stockholm conference
Uneasiness continues to exist over the
attitude OF labor on the question OF send
| ing delegation to the Stockholm peace
\ conference. The Government has ap-
parently locked horns with the labor
executives. saying IL will not issue pas
J ports, while the executives insist they
Will send delegates to the conference.
Debate in Commons.
The question of the future disposition
| or German colonies came up to-day in
the House Of Commons during the dis.
cussion OF the Colonial ONCE budget
| Donald MacmHster. NJ. T. for Surrey
| Northwest, and a former member OF the
| Canadian Parliament, assured the Gov
ernment that British colonies would uni
! formly oppose restoring to Germany her
colonies in the Pacific Ocean. The colo
nies, he said. realized the danger of
| these German possessions. Canada knew
! that Germany might have blown Van
| couver or Prince Rupert TO atoms had
| the German fleet not gone on other ven
lures Off the coast of Chile
| Walter Hume Long, Secretary OF
| State for the Colonies, said that Canada
did not dogmatize regarding the future
| of German colonies, but desired the Inn
perial Government to realize the
| strength Of their feelings, not from A
| desire Of increased territory, but solely
| from desire that peace should he such
! that, it would make certain the Sc.
/ curity Of the empire.
The peace pronunciament OF Pope
| Benedict was an entire surprise to the
! British public, Whether or not il was
a surprise to the Government cannot he
/ learned.
British pscifists undoubtedly will IA
| vor the acceptance OF any offer TO go
into peace conference. but a great ma
jority OF the people will look askance At
a proposal which they think is issued
distinctly in the ~nterests OF the enemy
Powers, The Pope's offer did not even
constitute a newspaper sensation While
some afternoon papers gave II their
largest headlines. others printed II
merely as a paragraph among the Sec