New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-08-19
Wilson Not to Speak
for Allies, Is
Belief
=
U.Boats Must
First Be Curbed
Peace Not To Be Con.
sidered While Law
lessness Goes On
Especial Corespondencel

Of State Lansing said to-day relative
to Pope Benedict's peace proposal:
"The matter is under very careful
consideration, and a decision has not
been reached yet"
In response to inquiries, Mr.. Lansing
let IL be known that the United States
would answer the note from the Vati-
can for itself, following its invariabIe
custom. State Department officials
vera inclined to doubt that the En-
tente powers would desire America to
reply to the Pope collectively in the
name of all of the Allies, and it was
also suggested that, should President
Wilson answer for all, there would
have to be a separate American note,
in order that this country, speaking
for itself alone, might be able to say
things it would not feel constrained
to say for its associates in the war.
II was also asserted at the State
Department that, so far as the United
States was concerned, a reply to the
Pope's proposal would not constitute
a recognition of the temporal preten-
sions of the Vatican, that the question
of the Pope's temporal power would
not be raised at all.
Expect Two Weeks Walt
Secretary Lansing declined to indi-
cate when President Wilson would re-
ply, the belief prevailing, however.
that the answer will not be forwarded
within two weeks, respectful period
of time being thought necessary to
emphasize the careful consideration
which is being given to the Papac7's
communication.
State Department officials were un-
certain whether the initiative in OBJ
tanning the consensus of the views OF
the Entente powers and of the United
States would be taken by this country
or the Allies-probably Britain. The
opinion was expressed in one quarter
that the speech Of the Prime Minister
Lloyd George and q statement made IN
London yesterday by Lord Robert Cecil
Minister of Blockade, both indicating
the inacceptability Of the Pope's pro-
posals, were intended to convey to the
Allies and to the United States par
ticularly the British Official view OF the
yatican's communication.
All Watching Wilson
II was patent to-day that there is less
interest in the probable replies or col
lective reply of the Allies than IN the
answer the United States will make to
the Pope. The interest displayed, espe-
cially in Entente diplomatic circles
here. in conjectures Of the character
and content of President Wilson's re-
ply reveals the immense Importance at
.ached by Allied nations to the words
of President Wilson.
Il is admitted to be possible that
what President Wilson writes in answer
to the Pope may mark new turning
point. not a mere development. in the
wsr. It has long been known that one
of the reasons why the United States
has not formally participated in the
inter-Allied conferences, which are now
being held with more frequency than
formerly, is this governments view
that the international situation is un-
stable, that changes are occurring from
dsy to day, and by withholding its
voice from the councils the United
States is free Of all commitment to any
political policy, of any territorial pro-
nouncerent and of any defnitive posi-
ton respecting many of the problems
that confront the Allies, irrespective OF
the Central Powers.
May Even Declare Terms
IN his reply the President has the
broadest latitude, therefore, for enun-
ciating Americas policies. and he may
go so far even as to declare terms upon
which the United States would be will
ing TO use its influence with the Allies
TO end the war. But no person here in
touch with the situation dreams that
President Wilson will be content with
an iota less than the things he has de-
eisrcd for generally in his addresses to
Congress and to the American people
since this country entered the war.
Since his war address to Congress,
President Wilson has had less to say
with regard to the German submarine
campaign than about changes which
must take place in Germany before
America will stop fighting. Il is not
doubted that in his communication to
Pope Benedict President Wilson will
declare that America cannot discuss
peace so long rs Germany's lswless
sea forces are conducting their opera
tions Of piracy and murder. An absn-
donment by Germany of her U-bost
eampxign, President Wilson 10 expected