Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-08-17

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WASHINGTON, Aug. 15.-Nothing
has occurred to change Americas war
aims and these are substantially those
OF France and England, il was Of
ficIaIly announced at the state depart
ment today.
This statement was taken as indicat-
ing that the United States and the al
lies will stand firmly together in not
accepting the pope's peace offer.
Further il was pointed out the gen.
eral trend of the offer in so far as it
has been outlined to the state depart
ment contains a number of propositions
TO which tho United States could not
accede.
Cables received early at the state de-
partment indicated strong opposition in
England, France and Italy to a favorable
view of the new peace step. Belief that
the move was uro-Austriac was sharp
ly expressed by high government OFF,
Gals today.
The president has not definitely deter
mined upon the full scope OF his reply.
Decision awaits study of the pope's for
NAL note. The president will reply to
II. According to one high in his councils
and who actively participated in the for
nation OF this country's policies, the
president will refuse to accept it..
Whether OF not he makes suggestions
that may further negotiations awaits
an expression of world opinion.
According to this official the president
will outline in simplest terms why
America cannot accept status quo
ante peace.
Our situation is this" the official
said. "A neighbor has entered our home,
ravaged those things we hold most dear.
We catch the enemy. He is within our
power. Then another neighbor enters
He suggests that We not kill the man
who destroyed our happiness. He sug-
gests that we give the beast his free
dom, that a purse be taken in the neigh
borhood to restore the losses we have
suffered and that we then go on and
live in peace beside the man who ruined
our family.
The thought is impossible-prepos-
ferrous. It is revolving even to conceive
Of a peace with Germany based on the
terms the pope has outlined"
CABLES FOR OPINIONS.
To aid in forming judgment, the gov
eminent has cablcd it's representatives
TO sound out sentiment and report the
reception of the pesce offer-both in
asked to hasten their reports lest delays
Indicate a spirit of indecision.
Officials remain silent. II may be
stated, however. that this government
either directly or indirectly will reply to
the pope. officials think generally the
world should know where the United
States and her allies stand, especially
IL the offer is rejected
Entente opinion with the exception Of
ha
lection of the proposal. The same spir-
IL pervades some government quarters
here. too.
But. authorities realize that coming
from the pope, the offer carries weight.
which German "feelers' and "made-in-
Germany" peace suggestions have lack
ed: that the offer will stir pacifist senti-
ment: and cause the thinking world TO
pause in reflection a least. The hint is
launched that Germany may have chos-
en- the vatican as a means of surrender
ing gracefully. without incuring disas-
ter and possible revolution at home
PEACE SEEDS IMPLANTED.
In any event, be the offer accepted or
rejected. II will serve to implant peace
seeds in all nations as nothing else has
done in recent months. Russia promises
TO hail the propoal more or less joy
fully. Socialists and pacifists. will get
IL.
Europe are likely to be rather favora-
BILE to II.
The state department said recently
the world would hearken thoughtfully to
any bona fide peace offer.
The pope. IL is believed. has the max
imum and minimum Teuton terms. His
suggestions. manifestly unacceptable to
either the allied or American standard
in some respects. could be used as a
49, - To- &c E,a1a
proposal to leave settlement of the AL
sace-Lorraine and Balkan problems to
peaceful negotiation is REGARDED here as
an especial stumbling block.
stu other objections to the proposals
as they now stand are that they would
restore the status quo ante-the ching
Presiden. Wilson said I'm his message to
Russia must not be, for out of that
ststUs grew the war.
On the other hand. the pope's pro-
rosal could so be altered as TO permit
Of territorial establishments, satisfac-
tory TO the president and the entente
and preventive of future troubles. if
the offer is inspired by a genuine idea
II surrender on Germany's part
One thing that makes the pnpe's offer
more difficult OF handling here is the
fact that he advocates things for witch
the president himself has stood The
president. IL is pointed out was for
long reluctant to join in the struggle,
and determined in so far as i'm his
lTcwer lay. to keep the United States al
Teace.
His sentiments on peace MAJ have
some important bearing in the present
situation.
ATTITUDE OF RUSSIA
Entente diplomats here are practical
~ unanimous in opposing anything
other than rejection of the offer
out OF the new Russian democracy,
However. came this view:
The vatican move should be taken
seriously. perhaps as he most serious
TCacc move We made. Russia is deter
mined 10 fight through another winter
If need be. but she will certainly well
come any bona fide peace move that