Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1917-08-29
Wilson's Note on
Pope's Peace Plea

President Wilson's Pope
which peace
German follows
Washington, cAug e. lsl7ro His Holiness Benedtctus X,
In Acknowledgement the of your Holiness
the begeren peoples dated Aug g the president the United
States requests transmit the following reply:
Every that has not been blinded hardened by this
terrible be touched appeal Holiness
the Pope; feel the dignity
GUS motives prompted it. and must feryeny wish
might take the path he persausiyel But
would be folly take if it does fact lead the goal he
Our response must be based the stern facts and upon
nothing else It is cessation of he desires; it Is
stable and enduring This must not be through
with again and must be matter OF sober judgment what
His Holiness, in substance. that to the
based OF
the principle of arbitration that by similar concert freedom of the
Italy parplexing problems Balkan the
restitution Poland be left such concaoy adjustments
be possible the temper of such peace due regard being paid
to the aspirations the peoples who's political fortunes and a
part program successfully
carried unless the restitution of the status furnishes
The of this deliver the peoples of the
the power military
controlled irresponsible which hay
ing secretly planned dominate the world proceeded the
plan obligations of
the established and long cherished principles OF
International action and honor which chose It's own time for Inc
either of law whole continent within the tide
blood soldiers only but the blood innocent
children also and of the helpless of the and now
baked but defeated the of fouffhs of the world
This the the ruthless
the people business OF how that great
its hut is business to 1t
that the history of the rest of the world no longer left to Its
handling
ITO deal with such by of the plan pro
posed by his Holiness the Pope would involve
of strength and renewal of its policy; would
make create permanent hostile combination OF
fold subtle interference and the certain counter revolution which
would be which German
government has of late accustomed the world
Can be based restitution of its upon
word OF honor could pledge treaty of settlement and ac
commodation?
Irresponsible everywhere they
saw before that no peace can rest securely political or economic
restriction benefit nations cripple and embarra
others vndcve action of sort kind of revenge or
deliberate injury
hands the imperial German government but they desire no re-
psa the German people who have Themselves suffered all
peace peoples the rights of
rights PEOPLES great or small weak or
pacpaon upon fair terms in the economic opportunities OF
The therefore plan this Is based
ambitious and intriguing government the hand and OF
of the matter and it the test which must be applied
THE of the United States this war known to
mted to They do not need be stated again We seek
material ADVANTAGE of any nd We believe that the noerane
pera German government ought to be repaired but not the
the both those
strong.
Punitive damages the dmemberment of the estab
shmen selfish and exclusive economic leagues deem nexd
kind all peace
upon Justice and fairness and the rights of mankind
anything endure unless explicitly supported
by such conclusive evidence of the will and the German
people themselves the other peoples the world would he JUS
without such guarantees treaties of settlement agreements for
disarmament covenants arbitration the of force
territorial adjustments reconstuona of small nations with
the German depend
we must await evidence of the purposes the great
God grant may be given soon and to restore the con
hdence of all peoples everywhere the faith nations
possibility Of a covenaned peace"
50. ROBERT LANSING
Secretary Of the United States of America