Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-08-15
.PONT|FF's PROPOSALS
PRESENT DIFFICULTIES
Framing of Reply May Prove One Of
Most Delicate Tasks Of
Whole War.
GERAiANY'S FINE HAND SEEN
Again Attempts to Secure, Working
Through Austria, What 1t Failed
to Gain in First Peace Offer.
Pope's Good Faith Unquestioned.
GERNLANY's FINE HAND SEEN
TBy Associated Press.l


WASHINGTON. August 14-Pope
Benedicts peace proposals were not
unexpected to the United States nor to
any Of the entente allies.
The possibility OF a peace move was
discussed with British Foreign Minister
Balfour and Vice. Premier Viyiani
when the British and French official
missions were In Washington, and 1t
was agreed that all the allies, .nclud-
ing the United States, should refuse
to discuss peace terms while Germany
occupied the territory she had aiken
by force, and thereby avoid what the
allied statesmen considered a German
trap.
Now. the Pontin's proposal presents
the question in a somewhat different
light, difficult. perhaps, to meet, be-
cause IL offers to war-weary world
a hope for peace
Germany and her allies are expected
promptly to accept the Pope's pro-
posals.
NOTE IS OF NATURE
CALLING FOR -EPLY
American officials acknowledge that
the Vatican's profer Is of a nature
entente circle voice nothing Tut a
unanimous opinion that it will be re-
jected. American officials realize that
convincing reply is required 70. the
worlds page of history. That the pro-
posais cannot be accepted as they stand
is certain. That they will not be ac-
cepted at all Is probable.
An official outline Of the Pope's com
munication was received here this
morning. Members OF the Presidents
Cabinet said 1t had not been discussed
at this afternoons meeting. but .ome
OF the Presidents official family gave
signs Of the difficulty which 1t t.s pre-
sented. Tonight the official text had
not been received. and 1t had not been
established whether 1t would come
through the Spanish ambassador or the
Swiss minister. Sparn and Switzerland
are the only two European neutrals
having relations with the Vatican
The ftrst appraisal OF the proposal
by officials and diplomats was that It
was another attempt by Germany. this
time working through Austria because
OF the latter's close relation to the
vatican. to accomplish what she Jailed
In her first offer Of peace-the assem-
bling of peace delegates at a round
table conference. where the interests OF
one ally could be played off AGAINST
the other with the disruption {. the
grand alliance as the stake Ir no
quarter is there any disposition to
question In any way the good faith
of the Vatican. although the pcace ac-
tiviiies of the Roman Catholic element
In Germany and Austria have been
prominent for several months.
REMARKABLY SIMILAR TO
WILSON'S DECLARATIONS
But. as the unofficial outline dis
closed the terms OF Pope Benedict's
proposal. officials were astonished TO
realize its similarity with some of
President Wilson'S declarations on the
subject. International agreement to
enforce peace, reduction Of armaments
and recognition of the national aspira-
tions of the small peoples-all were
Brought forward by the President in
his epochal addresses before Congress.
Although the proposal to leave for
diplomatic discussion such great aues-
tions as Italia irridentia. free Poland
and Alsace-Lorraine might be rejected
on many grounds, close observers fore
see the possibility of embarrassmcnts
in declining to discuss proposals which
the President himself brought before
tho world. The allied statesmen realize
that once consideration OF any part of
the Pope's proposals begins. pnclfsts
and Socialist elements are at once en-
abled to take up discussions which Will
emharrass their governments
President Wilson'S own view OF what
reply shall be made obviously cannot
accurately be assessed at the present
time. His latest public pronounce
ments on tho most vital OF the pro-
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