Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-08-17
Editorial Comment
The Pope's Peace Proposal.
washington Post)

Pope Benedict's peace proposal I'M
questionably is inspired by a genuine
desire to prevent another year of
bloodShed, and in a huma nitarian
sense it is to be commended. The
suggestions outlined by the Vatican
as possible peace bases, however. can
not be expected to promote peace
The aloofness Of the Vatican from the
affairs of this world could hardly be
more strikingly shown than by the
assumption that France will actually
take Germany's bloody and pertidious
hand in token of agreement that the
question of Alsace and Lorraine shall
be referred to arbitration.
Naive as are the Pope's suggestions
they will doubtless he considered
by tens of thousands Of devout per-
sons as reasonable and workable. 1t is
proper, therefore, that something
should be said regarding these sueges-
lions. and the reasons why they are
not sufficient to cause the allied ma
lions to suspend for a moment their
plans for the absolute defeat of Ger
many.
The basis Of the vatican's peace
proposal is restoration of the status
quo ante bellum: a turning backward
TO the conditions of July 1914. Now
that is an impossibility, for this reas-
on: In July 1914, the German gov
eminent had not destroyed its stand
ing among nations as an honora BILE
government. scrupulous in adherence
to the obligations of humanity and
treaty engagements. At this time Ger
many has no honor. She cannot re-
store her honor. She cannot return to
the status quo ante. The other
nations, Germany's allies and enemies.
cannot restore GermanN's honor.
There is nothing, therefore, to give the
world any assurance Of safety. no
matter what the peace terms might
be. Who would believe Germany if
she should profess contrition? What
nation would demobilize and subject
itself to treacherous assault hv Ger
many? Germany has taught the world
that she cannot be trusted The com
bined world. therefore. is engaged in
the task Of forging chains that will
keep Germany from numbering her
neigEbors.
Mcnstrcus as has been the destruc-
ton of human life by Germany's war
machine, the most effective. far
reaching. fatal piece of destruction ac-
complished by Germany was when she
destroyed her own honor. From the
hour when the world. aghast, discov-
cred that in the twentieth century
nation abreast of science was savage
at heart, treacherous and murder
Gus savage, there has been but one
possible end Of the war That end is.
he bof INT of
fererces with liar, Solemn written
proposals, with the idea of drawing up
binding agreement with a set of
savages who do not know the meaning
Of truth or binding agreement. or
honor A proposal to prevent the kill
ing Of natives in India by entering
into protocols with the eating
tigers is exactly on a par with treaty
making with the German government.
1t will be asked, if Germany is IN
capable Of entering into a binding
agreement, how is any peace treaty to
be made with her in the end? The
answer Is that peace must be enforced
upon Germany. 1t must be made upon
the terms imposed by civiliza ton. It
reed not be a treaty with Germany;
but if it should be, civilization will see
that the written word OF Germany is
secured by chain around Germany's
reck.
Never again" is the fixed resolve Of
civilization. Having felt the fangs
Of the beast. and having painfully
assembled the means to shackle him,
civilization will not let him slip.
Humanity shares with Pope Bene-
dict the feeling of horror over such
bloodshed and desolation. It is to put
a stop to it. forever. that huma nifty re-
fuses to compromise with the German
murder system.