New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-08-18
Wilson Consults
Allied Diplomats
On Peace Answer
Rejection Hinted, Either on
Broad Humanitarian Grounds
or Specific Terms
By c. w. Gilbert


cially announced to-day that the Cabi-
net at its meeting did not discuss the
Pope's peace proposals. So far as can
be learned, no discussion of them is
taking place here. The understanding
is that the President is consulting with
the Allied governments through the
American Ambassadors in the Allied
capitals. When these conferences are
over, the reply of this country to the
Pope will be formulated and dispatched.
AS has been pointed out in these dis
patches, the framing of a proper an
swer presents great difficulties, and
conferences may go on for some time.
The reply may take one of two forms:
1t may be refusal on broad grounds
probably of international morals; or the
refusal may include also particular
grounds, and be aimed to stimulate the
growth of radical sentiment in Ger
many and to assure Austria Of her
essential safety if in her WEAKNESS OF
war she should seek separate peace.
May Raise Moral Issue
A reply of the first sort would be
comparatively simple. All it would re-
quire would be that fortunate phrasing
for which the President in his impor-
tant papers is famous. 1t would have
to raise effectively moral issue which
would secure assent of all the peoples
warning against Germany. 1t would
appear from the dispatches received
from abroad that this end would pre-
sent no great difficulties.
Unity of the Allies would be simple
problem, but unity of the Allies might
be secured only at the cost of strength
ening the bonds by which the enemy
is held together. If Austria is made to
think that her partition Is sought, and
the German radicals are made to feel
that nothing short of the destruction
of Germany will satisfy the Allies, then
any hope of winning victory by diplo-
matte means will have to be put aside
for long time to come.
Diplomatically the advantage will be
slightly with the Germans if they &C
cept the Pope's terms and the Allies
broadly reject them.
Delicate Task of Diplomacy
For the Allies to shift this diplo-
matte advantage to their own side by
the nature of their reply will require
a good deal of study. The Austrian
italian situation bristles with Difficult
ties. 1t is no secret that Great Britain,
probably with the sympathy of the
United States, has been trying TO bring
about a separate peace with Austria.
Italy has been extremely touchy about
this enterprise, for she feels that the
end cannot be attained without sac
rificing some of her own designs upon
Austrian territory.
With these designs of Italy the AL
lies have little sympathy, as they see
in them an obstacle TO ending the war
and a threat if they are fully satisfied
to the permanent peace of Europe.
If detailed reply to the Pope set
ting forth not merely the moral rea-
sons for rejecting the proposed peace
with Germany, but insisting upon GER
tain boundary changes as essential to
a just settlement Of the war, should
be contemplated, and if the aim of
such reply is to be as reassuring as
possible to the people as distinguished
from the governments of Austria and
Germany, then Italy will have to abate
her claims somewhat.
Italy Stumbling Block
1t is perhaps to point out this neces-
sty to Italy and reach a practicable
programme that President Poincare of
France is now in Rome. There is no
doubt that Italy is one of the Difficult
ties in the diplomatic path of the
Allies. This country, which is not max
ing war upon Austria. is particularly
impressed with the extravaganza of
ltsly's ambitions.
Italy is more emphatic in its rejec-
tion of the Pope's proposals than is
any other power. The supposed "offi
ciai Italian view" of the peace pro-
posal OF Pope Benedict is understood
to be that it is unacceptable both on
the ground Of justice and also on the
ground of the future reorganization Of
Europe. An Italian authority said to-
day:
"Italy cannot accept the statement
that all the parties concerned have
equally suffered when the things that
happened in Belgium, Serbia, Monte
negro, Rumania and Armenia, and the
things that are now happening in Pal
estine, are matters of history.
Italy Cites Outrages
"Italy does not feel that outrages
against unprotected cities, the destruc-
ton of historical editices and other
venerable monuments, the violation OF
women and the murder of children are
to be classed in the same category as
the lawful warfare conducted by the
Entente Allies.
"Italy has seen her sons who have
fallen wounded, clubbed to death by
the Austrians and Germans, and Italy
feels that if justice is not a 7ain word
there must be reparation for these
crimes.
Besides. it is plain that such plan
of settlement as that suggested By
Pope Benedict would only save Ger
lsny and Austria and sacrifice the
Allies. The only reasonable result OF
the Pope's proposal in Italy will be
the conversion of the extreme Social
lists and the few pacifists in the penin-
sula to a policy Of more energetic war
against the Central Powers.