Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-08-29
Reply to Pope Viewed As Ap-
peal to Germans to Over
throw Military Ring.
TELEGRAMS OF APPROVAL
POUR INTO WHITE HOUSE
Denunciation of Berlin Autocracy
Said to Reflect Attitude Of
Allied Governments.

President Wilson's note rejecting the
Pope's peace proposals was regarded
here today as finally settling the ques-
tion Of dealing with present German
rulers unconquered or uncurbed at
home. The President makes it clear
that lasting and durable peace can be
negotiated with the United States only
on a complete understanding with the
German people and not alone on un-
stable guarantees of the existing gov
ernment-
The note indicates that the American
government does not intend post
bellum reprisals on the German people.
but desires, IN the interests of world
peace, that they be allowed to share in
international economic opportunities ''if
they will accept equality and not seek
. domination" The text of the note is
printed elsewhere in The Star.
Allies Said to Approve.
nunciation of German military au-
tocracy. is said to reflect accurately the
attitude Of the allied governments. The
general tenor of the communication had
been anticipated, but diplomats were
surprised to find in it a virtual appeal
to the German people to strive for
emancipation from military control and
become fitted to deal with world de-
mocracy.
Among other objections to a prema-
ture peace. the note indicates that it
would result in the abandonment of
newborn Russia to the intrigue. the
manifold. subtle interference and the
certain counter revolution which would
be attempted by all the malign infu-
ences to which the German govern
ment has of late accustomed the
The note comes as climax to the re-
markabie 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 accepted generally by the
people Of the allied countries as ex-
pressing their ideals
Students of diplomacy see in his de-
nunciation of the military autocracy a
fresh appeal to the war-ridden German
people to throw OF their military mas
ters and join democracy with govern
ment fit to deal with the remainder of
the world.
Messages Of Approval.
kilograms from all parts of the
country began to pour into the White
House today approving the Presidents
reply.
The radical difference that appears
to exist between the Pope and the
President touches the matter of
stable and enduring peace The pom
tin looks to the restoration of CO.
ordinations as they existed before the
war: the President turns his back
upon these, convinced that a return TO
the status quo ante bellum could never
bring permanent peace, which, he de-
clares, can be secured only by agree
ment between free peoples on both
sides.
As one official exnressad /, tho
Presidents response. rejecting as it
does the views of the entente allies,
sounds the doom of Hohenzollernism
and military domination of peoples
That this can and should be accom-
plished without the destruction of the
German people is one of the striking
expressions in the Presidents note,
when he expressly disclaims any in
tent to seek punitive damages and the
dfsmemberment of empires or even the
punishment of the central powers after
tne war oy gigantic economic combina-
tions against them.
Look for German Revolt.
1t is believed that as the hardsb,ns
Of war and misgovernment bear with
ever-increasing severity upon the Ger
man people. they must in the end
take in their own hands. through a
representative government the con-
duct Of negotiations looking to an hon
orable and permanent peace
Active exchanges have been in prog
ress between the President SecretaTv
Lansing and the entente powers. main
ly through the american diplomats
Representatives abroad, regarding the
answer to be made to the Pope's pro-
posals ever since these were delivered
to the various foreign officers. n
seemed by common consent that to
President Wilson was confded ,ha
heavy responsibility of framing and
delivering the first of the repIias
Although the Pope's proposals were
addressed to the leaders of the nations
at war. which. of course, included Pras.
ident Wilson and was signed by the
pontin himself. the response was signed
by Secretary Lansing The latter eY
presslY stated hnxever IT, T. -.