Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-08-15

TWO
4 line OF tho principal points of the
Ropes communication Is in tho hands
Nof the government here and already has
I received thoughtful consideration.
DESCRIBES TERRIBLE
CONDITIONS IN EUROPE
s&tsIn eloquent language tho Pontiff de-
bcrioes tho terrible conditions existing
In Europe. which he declares is headed
sAor destruction unless the belligerents
arc willing to listen to the appeals OF
i 9dlsinterested friends to cease a suicidal
War. Such conditions the Pope feels.
yamply justify him in taking the pres
Sent opportunity to suggest what may
s6e he hopes. at least foundation upon
(which peace negotiations may be ini-
tiated.
Vat best, Pope Benedicts proposals
,,are only suggested as a rough basis
sdor such negotiations. and he realizes
that the details in all their complexity
must be worked out patiently and in q
Dspirit OF Cancellation by the belligerents
themselves
= Unqualified approval OF President
Wilson'S plan for the avoidance Of flu
yfure wars by some form of interna-
tional organization which shall have
e=Abehind it the necessary power to en-
its judgments, is given by Pope
.,tRenedict. who declares that along with
3aepch q splendid project must so
Slnective arrangement for reduction OF
= Ornaments to point just sufficient for
Z defensive purposes or to carry out the
y mandates of the world court.
It is inconcevable. the Pope holds.
{ that any permanent peace can be main
( tanned unless the various peoples are
: willing to gather In an amity founded
: upon a recognition Of national rights.
FREEDOM OF SEAS
IN ALL TERM IMPLIES
I Any attempt to prevent free econo-
Z mic action betwec the belligerents, the
Pope points out, would be disastrous:
6xrtherefore, he says. there must be free
-.dom Of the seas in all that the term
The Pontiff declares that SO
sSSSEaxtensive has been the injury to all Of
~ the belligcrents that there can be no
XIX thought now OF either indemnity or
~ reparation.
SIS In a spirit of conciliation and justice,
Nv he says. all the belliserents must SUBJ
{{st NIT to accept the losses they have sus-
ifN tanned except in the matter Of territory.
iSSs and besides these questions of indem-
SSE nifty and rcparation. the Pope declares,
ISIS there must be no continuation of the
~ war by an economic struggle for SUI
Nys premacy thereafter which would be
AZ, purely evil.
sE This refers 10 the so-called Paris
M economic conference" which fol-
It'll lowed by one in Vienna. where the eff
lSi fort was made to bind the belligerents
f$3f on either side after the war to have
ssfs practically no commercial relations with
f{$S their enemies.
~. On the important question OF the
tit disposition of occupied territory and
ILL the territ> rial ambitions Of the bellig-
ttssefents. the Pope, by way OF preface
admits that special cases might justify
special consideration and still be ad-
,5usted in conformity with the prin-
Siples OF equity and justice. But. as
a general proposition, he feels that q
proper basis for discussion would be
the restoration at once OF all terri
tory now in enemy occupation. That
Mould involve liberation of Belgium,
aeavinS not trace of German cont OIL
holitical military. The same prin-
Niple Of unencumbered freedom in its
ftll sense, he says, should prevail in
HeEayds'to every power and nation.
Not only must French territory now
occupied by Germany be restored to
France. he says. but. the other
hand. all German colonies which have
been occupied by England. Portugal.
Belgium and Japan should be returned
to Germany.
MORE DIFFICULT QUESTION
OF ITALIA IRREDESTA
The more difficult question of Italia
Irredenta- the Pope thinks. should be
examined in a spirit OF Cancellation
end fairness, and that special con-
YAderation into the settlement should
sRe given the national aspirations.
hat
the complex questions involved in re-
adjustment Of the Balkan states
should be considered in the same spirit
fof equity and justice. He has espe-
cially in mind Armenia, the Balkans
and Poland. and the intimation con-
veyed Is that these questions can
safely be dealt with by direct diplo
matte exchanges between the bellig-
erents once an agreement is reached
upon tho general principles Of recog-
milton OF national aspirations and
justice.
Without advices Of any kind from
their own governments. the entente
embassies were intensely interested in
abe Associated Press cablegrams from
Rome
PoPE's PROPOSAL FALLS
ON UNRECEPTIvE EARS
Diplomatic practice prevents any
authorized expressions of opinion for
publication. but II was apparent AT
once that the peace proposal falls on
unreceptive ears far az the diplo.
mats here are concerned The entente
representatives without ;he slightes,
adherence of opinion. declared the pro.
Qosal originated with Germany. using
Austria as Intermediary with tn,
Vatican because of the better stand
Ing OF that great Catholic empire will
the Pope.
ONLY LoFTIEsT MOTIVES
ARE ASCRIBED TO yATICA,