New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-08-30
Wilson's Stand
May End Entente's
Reprisal Plan
tstar Correspondence

WASHINGTON, Aug 29-President
Wilson's statement in his reply to the
Pope that mo peace can rest securely
upon political or economic restrictions
meant to benefit some nations and Grip
pie or embarrass others" was believed
here to-day TO forecast the abandon
ment Of the war-after-the-war plan of
the Entente powers, agreed upon at the
Allies Paris economic conference, for
the punishment Of Germany after the
conclusion Of peace.
The same declaration was held by
diplomatists to be an unmistakable con-
demnation Of the European balance of
power, imposing political restrictions
upon some nations for the advantage Of
others and based upon superior phys
ical might rather than any principle Of
right or justice.
One omission in the note shared at
tention with a clearly defined American
position in opposition to European
practice. President Wilson. failed to
make any reference 10 league to en-
force peace. The statement was made
in a well informed quarter to-day that
the Presidents ideas concerning the
proposed league of nations to enforce
peace have been materially modified IN
the last few months.
Not in Favor of Armed Force
II is said he is inclining toward the
view that an international league TO
avoid war should be tribunal OF Jur-
lists for the settlement of disputes,
without power to resort TO armed force
TO execute its decisions, leaving the
enforcement of compliance with its de-
crees to the public opinion OF the world
The President stated that the wrongs
done By Germany in this war ought 70
be repaired, but that punitive dam
ages, the ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF empires,
the establishment of selfish and ex-
elusive economic leagues would be IN
expedient and in the end worse than
futile. mo proper basis for peace OF
anv kind" No authoritative explana-
ton of this passage defining the iimlts
OF it's application was obtainable, but II
was not taken TO mean that the fresi,
dent would oppose the restoration OF
Alsace-Lorraine to France and OF lIala
Irredenta to Italy, no: OF Bosnia-her,
zegovina to Serbia nor the expulsion OF
Turkey from Europe. "Dlsmemoer-
ment" was Interpreted unofhciaily 10
mean the splitting up OF Germany INTO
independent principalites' 'solalihe
Prussia from her sister states.
The Presidents reference to RUSSIA
pleased Russian diplomats here VINO
believe it will exert wholesome IN
fuence upon both the Russian FRO
visional Government and the Russian
people.
II was suggested to-day that the
Presidents note should be distributed
within the German lines by American
and Allied aviators, as was done with
the Presidents war address to Con-
eress, which the German government
withheld from the German public for
a long time. 1t is believed that one OF
the objects of President Wilson in
writing the note to the Pope was to
appeal to the reason of the German peo>
pie and encourage the popular move
ment in that country for parliamentary
and ministerial reforms.
Wilson'S Stand Made Clear
II is expected that Pope Benedict will
either readdress the belligerents or
have the Foreign Office of the Vatican
issue a statement after the receipt OF
all the replies from the warning ma
tions. President Wilson, however, has
left the Pope in no doubt concerning
the only avenue open to peace for the
Central Powers, and there is no likeli-
hood. officials here believe, that Berlin
and Vienna will Immediately avail
themselves Of this only way of avoid
ing surrender without condition:
President Wilson's reply Will dis
courage a renewal OF peace overtures
from any source other than the Central
Powers, diplomats here believe.
The reply Of the Allies to the Pope is
expected to fall short of the principles
enunciated in the Presidents note,
which principles have not yet won the
place in European craftsmanship. ex-
cept in the new Russian democracy,
that they hold in America.
Officials here have refrained from
giving any hint of the contents of the
British reply, which has been COM
pleted, but has been withheld from pub
LEGATION until the dispatch of the Amer
ican note, il now being generally ad-
miteed that the President is the spokes-
man for Germany's enemies.