Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-08-29

Washington. Aug. 2s-President Will
son has rejected the Popes peace pro-
posals.
In a note dispatched last nigh, and
made public here tonight, the Pres
ident says that while every heart not
blinded and hardened by the terrible
war must be touched by the moving
appeal Ct His Holiness, it would be
folly to take the path of peace. he
points out. if it does not in fact lead
to the goal he proposes.
Renew Germany's Power
To deal with such a power as the
present rulers Of Germany upon Pope
Benedict's plan, declares the President
would involve a recuperation Of the
strength and renewal Of the world
domination Of that power, now balk-
ed but not defeated. after sweeping
a continent with the blood Of inno-
cent women and children and the
helpless poor. as we'll as Of soldiers.
Permanent peace must be based up
on the faith Of all the peoples and
upon 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 guar
antee of anything that Is to enuu4..
unless explicitly supported by conciu-
sive evidence Of the will and purpose
Of the German people themselves as
the other peoples Of the world would
be justified in accepting"
Text Of the Note
The text of the note follows:
August q, 1917,
ITO His Holiness, Benedictus XIV.
Pope:
"In acknowledgement of the commun-
icaticn Of Your Holiness to the bel
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 NOV
ing appeal Of His Holiness, the Pope.
must feel the dignity and force of the
humane ard generous motives which
prompted It, and must fervently wish
that he might take the path of peace
he so crsuasively points out. But
it would be folly to take it if it does
not in fact lead to the goal he propo-
scs. Our response must be based upon
the stern facts and upon nothing else.
1t is not mere cessation OF arms
he desires; ii is a stable and endur-
irg peace. This agony must not ne
gone through with again and it must
be a matter Of very sober Judgment
that will insure us against II.
His Holiness in substance pro-
poses that we return to the status quo
ante -bellum and that then there be a
general conformation, disarmament and
a concert of nations, based upon an
acceptance of the principle of arbitra-
ton: that by similar concert free
dom of the seas be established: and
that the territorial claims of France
and Italy. the perplexing problems Of
the Balkan states. and the resolutions
Of Poland be left TO such concilatory
adjustments as may be possible in the
new temper Of such a peace. due re-
gard being paid to the aspirations Of
the peoples whose political fortunes
and affiliations will be involved.
DeIiverance the Object
at is manifest that no part Of this
program can be successfully carried
out unless the restitution of the sta
tus quo ante furnishes a firm and
satisfactory basis for it. The object
of this war is 70 deliver the free peo-
pies of the world fromthe menace and
the actual power of a vast military
establishment controlled by an ire
sponsible government, which having
secretly planned TO dominate the
world. proceeded to carry the plan
out without regard either to the sa-
cred obligations Of treaty or the long
established practices and long-c cher
ished principals Of international action
and honor; which chose its own time
for the war; delivered its blow fierce
~ and suddenly; stopped at no bar
rier. either of law or of mercy: swept
whole continent within the tide of
blood-not the blood of soldiers only,
but the blood Of innocent women and
children also and Of the helpless poor;
and now stands baked but not defeat
ed the enemy Of four-f1fths Of the
world.
This power is not the German peo-
pie. It is the ruthless master OF the