Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1917-08-24
US. WILL Reject
Pope PEACE PLEA
President 10 Decide Reply to
Proposals.
MAY FORCE NAMING TERMS
Diplomats Cable Entente Governments
Mr.. Wilson viii Answer WITH Po.
lite Refusal.

lite Refusal.
Diplomats cab.ed to their respective
governments the belief that the united
States politely would decline Pope
Benedict's proposals for the making OF
peace.
President Wilson met the cabinet.
Presumably the pope's offer was dis
cussed. 1t is unlikely anything will DE
given out
Secretary cf State Lansing desires
not TO appear as rejecting the peace
proposal without consultation with the
president.
These who have talked with him
clearly obtain the impression that he
is not: favorably disposed toward the
popes offer. In the official answer
that the United States eventually will
give, it may be no definite stand will
be taken on the particular questions
raised in the pope's mess Hge. The
government may confiDe itself to the
general. PRINCIPLES which it under.
stands to be fundamental to world
peace.
1t is an open secret in Washington
that If all the allies were asked to
state their terms there would be con-
siderable disscnticn. The entente
membership is too complex to admit ct
easy harnoniza'inn of war aims.
What the pore has done really is to
compel such { formulation Of terms
by the entente sooner than otherwise
might have been necessary. To this
extent. the v2tican's action is con-
structed rs of far reaching import
ance.
In congre:s end out OF it. knowledge
that the United States is fighting to-
compel exni2ticH fer Germany's c'iTes
against Americans. IS we'll as better
world organization hereafter, is coup
oI with the thought that England,
France. Italy and Russia are fighti 1e,
too, for things essential to them, but
OF no concern to this country.
The pope's proposal declares the IN
iuries to all heliigerents have been so
great there should be no thought Of
reparation except for the return of
territory.
Unqualified approval of President
Wilson'S plan to avoid future wars by
an international organization which
shall have behind it power to enforce
its judgm ents. is given.
Inclu+$l in the restoration Of ter
ritory, the pope's proposal insists,
should be the return to Germany of all
colonies, as well as the complete res
tcration Of Belgium to her sovereign.
ty.
Although special efforts aye being
made to facilitate its transmission to
the United States, this may not be
effected for day or two.
Meanwhile. an accurate outline Of
the principal points of the commun;ca-
ton is in the hands of the government.
Already it has received thoughtful cen
sideration.
Tn eloquent language, tie pontiff de.
scribes the terrible conditions d:isting
in Europe Europe, he says, IS head
ed for destruction unless the belli.er
ents will listen to the appeals of dis
interested friends to cease suicida'
war.
Such conditions, The nope fesls, an
ply justify him in taking the pres mi
opportunity to suggest what may b
he hopes at least fcurla ion EDcr
which peace negotiations my b
started.
II is inconceivab,e. the ro"e hold
that permanent peace can b nlainta;l
ed unless the various raarl.s are vii
ing to gather in an amity f.1r5ed u2cn
a recognition of national rights.
Any attempt TO prevent free ecuncm
ic election between the hellee ems
the pope points oft, would he d'sast
rous. Therefore, he say, there rs
be freedom OF the seas in all that the
term implies.
In a sririt of c0ncil!a i'm and just
ice. Re says, all tho heiiigs:e IS mus
submit to accept tGe losses tEcy have
sustained. cxceDt in the. mater # ter
ri ory. resiia the questions Of indian
nifty and rerar2tion, !he rore says,
there must be no colt:nuatioH Of the
war by an economic struggle f2r su.
premacy thereafter, which would be
purely evil.
This refers directly to the so-called
Paris economic conference, wrich was
followed by one Vienna where the
effort was made to bind tie belligar
ents OH ether side after the war to
have virtually no commercial relations
with their late enemies.
On the disposition of occupied ter
ritory, and territorial ambitions of he
belligerents, the pope, by way of pref
ace, admits special cases might justify |
snecisl consideration and still be ad.
iusted in conformity with the pria-
ciples of equity and justice.
AS general proposition, he feels a
proper basis for discussion would be
the restoration at once of all territory
now in enemy occupation. That would
involve liberation of Belgium, leaving
not q trace OF German control, political
or military. The same principle of un
encumbered freedom in its full sense,
he seys, should prevail in regard to
every power and nation
Not only must French territory now
occupied by German be restored toI
France. he says, but all German colo
MES which have been occupied BY