The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1917-08-18
MOVE CAUSES UREAs|HESS.,
WASHINGTON FEARS 1T WILL.
START AN OUTBURST OF
PEACE TALK IN CON.
GRESS,
Pontiff's Proposals Not Likely to
Change Attitude OF Allies i'm Push
ing War.

washington, Aug. 15.-Conference
among the entente diplomats toda,
crystalized into conviction the opinion
that Pope Benedict's move is no
likely to change in any substantial de
gree the attitude of either of the Al
ICES on the American government.
1t is agreed, however, that a re
sponse must be made to the Pope.
proposal far more COMPREHENSIVE,
than mere Acknowledgement Of it,
receipt. To do this without openins
the field of argument which might re
suit in developing differences be.
tween the allies to be seized upon by
the Germans is realized to be a diff
cult and delicate undertaking.
On the other hand some considera.
ton is being given to the suggestion
that the Pontiff has given Presiden
Wilson a golden opportunity to again
impress upon the American people
and the world in the most convincine
fashion the rectitude of his position
IN recommending to congress the dec
laration Of a state of war with Ger
many.
Secretary Lansing is reserving any
| expression of opinion until he has the
official text of the Pope's message
Experience has taught him that of
ten traps are concealed in diplomatic
communications that are not visible
in any abstract. While there is nc
disposition to question the good faith
of the Pope, it is conceivable that he
might have been imposed upon by
German cunning. The official text
had not reached Washington tonight
MIR. Lansing talked during the day
separately with Ambassador Jusse-
rand. of France, and Volville Marclay
charge Of the British embassy.
These talks may be regarded az
preliminary to the more formal eX-
changes expected to take place amone
the allied powers before answers arc
returned to the vatican proposals.
Ambassador Riano, of Spain, also
talked with the secretary, who after
ward indicated that he thought tn,
Pope's message might reach him
through that channel.
In anticipation of an outburst OF
peace talk at the capital plans wero
made during the day by senate lead
ers, both Democratic and Republican,
to prevent open discussion of tho
subject. They propose to force OK.
ecutive sessions and close the doors
upon the beginning by any senator
of an address bearing on peace neco-
tlations or the general subject OF
peace.
This program and othr measures to
deal with various pending peace res
Olutions and future speeches probably
will be discussed with President Will
son. An executive session of the sen
ate was planned for late today to dis
cuss the system Of closed doors, but
went over until later.
Senators of the small so-callod
pacifist group are expected to Opposc
the secret session program. Tho
leaders. however. are prepared tc
base their contention upon the ground
that such discussion would relate to
treaties including possible peace
treaty and therefore, as is usual al
such matters should be carried on be-
mind closed doors. If adhered to- tho
| secret session plan would materially
affect speeches planned by Senate,
Stone, chairman of the foreign rola.
tions committee, and by Senator La
Toilette and others on the Wisconsin
senator's proposing that this natior
and the allies make moro definite an.
nouncement Of possible peace terms
Those who expect President Wilsor
to make his reply to the pope the oc.
casiOn for testament of America:
reasons for going to war think some
thing of the same kind may be done
in London. Paris and Rome to NEE
sOcialistic unrest with the purpose o.
| directing the activities Of Socialist.
into proper channels rather than try
ing to suppress them by force. 1t wa;
pointed out in diplomatic quarters
here. for instance that the speech %
Albert Thomas i'm the F'ranch cham
Der of deputies last Sunday showed
that he was in line with the Frcncl
Socialistic program, as he declared
last week in Paris. This was by n,
means antagOniStiC to tho govern