The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1917-08-17

London, August 15.-Some Of the
morning newspapers refrain from
commenting on the pope's peace pro-
posals, while those which discuss them
editorially base their genesis to Aus
tria, and either reject absolutely or
indicate the belief that the text when
received will show them to be unac-
ceptable.
The Daily News, which, although a
firm supporter Of the allies aims, has
decided pacifist leaning, says that
whatever reasons which hitherto re-
strained the pope from coming for
ward as an official champion for peace;
the long delay has materially impair
ed the advantages the Vatican origi-
nally possessed for disinterested in
tervention.
at is not our business to pass judg-
mcnt upon a policy which exhausted
itself in impotent sighs over the in
iuuities perpetrated in Belgium and
imagined it possible to eXtinguish the
world conflagration by a succession OF
tinid intrigues the fact is
whether it is reasonable to blame
Benedict and his advisers therefor is
another matter-consideratio Of
ten1poral and secular interests haV-
ing SO long stayed his hands, it is i'm
possible to accept the pope's interven-
ton now as dictated purely by the de-
sire which animates all good and all
sincerely religious men to end hor-
ror which is destroying hope.
Must BE Examined on Merits
"The pope's proposals must be eX-
amined on their merits, as strictly as
if made by Chancellor Michaelis. Pres
ideut Wilson or Lloyd George"
The Daily News thinks it fairly
clear that the pope's appeal was in
spired by Austria, but maintains that
if his holiness can persuade the bel
ligcrents to state their conditions IN
concrete terms he will confer very
great. if belated. blessing on mankind,
and if he can further persuade Ger
. many to declare its willingness to re-
store the Independence of Belgium,
Serbia and Rumania and Withdraw
from other invaded territories the door
to peace will be open, and a blank re-
fusal by the allies to negotiate on
such a basis would be almost un-
thinkable.
The Daily Mail does not comment
editorially, but in an introduction in
its news columns says the pope's pro-
posals are impossible and that the
scheme is Austro German.
The Chronicles refer to the tradl-
tional intimacy of Austria and the
Vatican and the Austrian courts in
tense desire for peace, and adds:
"The fact that the proposal comes I'M
mediately after expulsion of Russians
from Galicia and Bukowina will not
escape anybody who is in the habit of
putting two and two together. we
may assume that the pope acted at
Austria's prompting. In any case,
the allies will have to refuse No
other course is open to them"
Times Suspends Judgment
The Times, while suspending final
Judgment until the text is available
saws the proposals as described in the
telegraph summaries are utterly In
admissible by the allies. 1t express
es establishment at the Vatican's al
legged hope that the document will be
received favorably and lead to peace
soon.
"To cherish any hope of this" says
the paper, "betrays complete lg'
norance of opinion of all the entente
countries and the United States. They
have all stated plainly, emphatically
and repeatedly before, the only terms
whereon they are prepared to consld
er peace. These terms are quite IN
compatible with the telegraphed yer
sion of the Vatican's proposals, ant
there is not the slightest prospec
that the allies will renounce or abatt
them, The whole tenor of the docu
ment bears the marks of German in
spection."
Posts Views are Similar.
The Post, expressing similar views
scys:
ITO listen to compromise befor'
a guarantee against repetition o
the ordeal through which civilization
is passing is to betray all sacrifice AM
suffering endured. If the Vatican real
ly is optimistic about receptions OF it
PROPOSALS, the Vatican shows that
is entirely out of touch with the sen
timent of'thc allies"
The Post, taking it for granted tina
the proposals are instigated by Ger
MANY. and remarking that they ar
decidedly in advance of anything
Germany hitherto has been dispose
to discuss, attributed her anxiety fo
an immediate negotiated peace to
realization that the continuance OF tn
war will give her much less than sue
a negotiated peace, because she wi
have to face with depleted resource
the full weight of a new enemy, tn
American Republic and adds ths
Germany affected to believe the Unit
ed States as a belligerent did nc
count, but that illusion has alread
been shattered.