The sun., 1917-08-18
LONDON THINKS
PLEA OF F0PE
FAV0RS BERLIN
Germany Would Present
War Map as Basis of q.
Farley"
ENTENTE EMBARRASSED
"PropOssls May Have Detri-
mental Effect on the Rus
sian Situati0n.N
Special Gable Despateh to The sus

Special Gable Despateh to The suS.
LONDON, Aug 17.--Although the svs-
gestion Is made in many quarters that
President Wilson should become the
spokesman Of the Alliss In replying to
the Pope's peace proposals, the British
Foreign ONCE assured the correspondent
OF THE SUN to-day 1t was impossible a.
yet to determine the method OF proce-
dure, except that the allied Governments
will confer carefully before acting. It n
quite possible President Wilson win be-
come the medium Of the Joint communi.
cation.
The attitude Of the Foreign Once was
clearly indicated. though guardedly, by
On expression to the effect that whether
the Pope's move was calculated or not
10 be such. It was decidedly favorable
toward Germany. Peace talk now, II II
considered. can have no effect except
10 embarrass the Entente allies, e.
pecially in their relations with Russia.
while II a peace conference should be
forced at this time Germany would GER
tainly present the war map as the basis
Of discussion. and 1t must be recognized
that this 10 decidedly favorable to Ger
many.
Thus, at the time when any peace dis
allied cause and when their attitude to
this effect has been clearly indicated
for months past, noticeably in regard
to the Stockholm conference, the Pope's
proposal is regarded a. ut least futile.
"Cpines Of the war"
"while no ofiicin! is disposed to Ques-
ton his sincerity and impa rtiallty," 1t
was said at the Foreign once, 'it IL
surprising that the Pope's communica-
ton does not contain any allusion to
tho violation Of treaties and the out
RACES committed in Belgium. Armenia.
serbia and elsewhere and the sub
marine atrocities during the war. !.
"when q wolf Is found devouring q
lamb peacemaker would hardly assume
the attitude that, they had quarrelied
and therefore were equally responsible.
Discussion Of motives IL unnecessary.
Impartality means Justice. II atroci-
ties have been committed BY the Allies.
which in possihla. although few would
be deliberate. they should be considered
likewise. We are surprised also by the
phrase 'condonation on both sides be-
cause to condone requires An assurance
that the criminals are really repentant
Doubtless reply to the Pope's note
will be made in due course, but II has
yet and II Is not possible to indicate
whether or not President Wilson will be
the medium.
"The Pope's initiative might possibly
be useful II 1t leads Germany to state
definitely her war objects and peace
terms. The Allies have already done
that. Therefore 1t seems logical to ex-
pect that Germany will be the first TO
respond to the Pope"
Foreign Omce's Reply.
Asked IL he believed that In case the
Pope's effort failed to accomplish any
thing Germany would soon make .
direct peace move through diplomatic
channels, the Foreign Offoe official re-
piled
'It is impossible to, prophecy as It u
difficult to jUdge the internal conditi0ns
In Germany, except the apparent con-
dtions, which are complicated by the
recent turmoil there when Aichaelis
was made Chancellor. Opinion inside
and outside OF Germany 10 that he 10
only a stopgap. II this Is true. Il VIII
be necessary to avait the establishment
OF more permanent political status IN
Germany which in tuan will depend
upon the outcome Of the struggle Tor
control now In progress there.
There is no evidence that the junkers
are likely to be unhorsed soon or that
they are even remotely disposed to
abandon the ambitions and purposes
with which they entered the war. The
most recent peace suggestion from
competent German authority was that
Germany relied on the war map. 30
long as she thus relies there Is small
hope of initiating negotiations"