New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-09-02
Italy Is Divided
In Views on u. S.
Answer to Pope

Augusto ClUfClll, FORMER M'"'S''' "
past. and Telegraphs and member OF
tho Italian mission, to The Associated
Press. while the Pope believes that
roace can be discussed from now
President Wilson exacts beforehand
important guarantees.
.."This is right, because with those
who invented the theory OF scraps OIL
paper and who have employed re'e"'-
loss submarine warfare neither WoruS
nor treaties are sufficient. therefore,
President Wilson demands guarantees
from the German people, not from '"e'i
rulers.
But if the German people olinoeu
bv hatred and kept in darkness anu
from knowledge Of the reality, do not
move, how can peace be concIuoeo ~
u.,rI he necessary to impose the de-
generalization Of Austro-German lnsN-
.,.;ors on the governments themselves
ohI;einc them TO carry out democrauIa-
tinn ;rmediately. Thus great service
viii he rendered 70 the Austro- German
nconies. who will be grateful IN the
future to President wilson ana ING
Allies. ~. Ar.rics
and President Wilson are aosolu..,5
determined that peace shal pe JUS 80
lasting, 10 achieve when al! s"''''NN'
must be made.
Marconi Praises Frankness
Senator Guclielmo Marconi, the
noted inventor. said: ps;-
$50 far, the words spoken py
dent Wilson excel any others on tnl S
subject in frankneSs, c!eaIAeeo
straightforwardness.
Indeed. the mingled sincerity anu
frmness with which the FresldehI al .
raigrs the imperial German government
before the bar Of history for the IN
tolerable wrongs committed by u our
ING the war. proclaiming the lmposs'-
biiitv of accepting the word OIL hohor
or the guarantees Of German states m 4
who have disreCarded the sacred Inn,
itations Of treaties or long estaoii snsa
customs. Is eminently typical OF MS
forceful American character. The Pres
ident shows most clearly In his mas
terlv reply that il is his hrm intention
that peace shall not be mockery or a
truce. but the triumph Of the rights
of ali peoples, however small, so that
thew may live free and in unthreatened
happiness -,
Criticism of the form in which Pres
;der+ Wilson replied to Pope Benedict 5
neace note is voiced by the "Osserva-
tore Romano and the "Correre
dItalia." reAectors Of Vatican opinion,
which take up this point without en-
terinr into the merits Of the Presl-
dental response, their comment con-
trasting American cleverness in bust
ness with what is alluded 10 as Amer
lean lack OF knowledge Of diplomatic
ussges.
The criticism is based, for one thing,
upon the reply being signed by Score,
tary Of State Lansing, while the Papal
note was signed by Pope Benedict him
self. This, according TO these news
paper critics, required that the answer
be signed by President Wilson himself
The same organs allege Improperly IN
the fact that publication of the Presl'
dents answer was permitted before the
text was delivered TO the Pope, where.
as the Papal note was sent 20 England
on August for delivery TO America
and was not published in Rome until
August Is.
Object TO Reply by Telegraph
Objection is also made that the re-
ply was telegraphed, which IS pointed
TO as rot in accord with diplomatic
usage for such important documents
which are invariably dispatched by
courier.
Finally the newspapers find in the
text Of the Presidential reply contra
dictions of statements contained in the
Presidents former messages on the
subject Of peace.
The "Corriere D1talia" adds:
president Wilson's reply substan-
TALLY is u refusal. 1t is not a refusal
pure and simple, but refusal for the
reasons given. The Pope's proposal
did not contain an invitation to accept
definite conditions Of peace without dis
cussion. II only pointed 70 certain ques-
tions which he thought would lead TO
useful discussions opening the way 10
peace. The Papal initiative, therefore
can be considered failure only in
case the bellgerents answer that II is
impossible to enter into any discus
sions.
when instead, as in President Will
sons reply, there is affirmation as IN
the phrase that every heart must fer
vently desire TO follow in the way OF
peace so persuasively indicated by the
Pope, the Pope's initiative toward a
discussion has merit and q clear and
reciprocal position between the two
groups Of bclligerents.'
Struggle Put in Decisive Way
president Wilson has put forward
the great struggle between might and
right in such a decisive way that it is
impossible 20 waive il away by sleight
of hand" says the "Tribuna" THAT
struggle must end in the absolute tri.
umph Of right, without limitations and
reserve. and that triumph cannot be OBJ
famed by ambiguous cancellations OIL
sfbtle compromises with those who
habitually violate the rights Of others
and who. with their haughtness not
vet tanned By the condemnation of the
N2r!d and inevitable defeat, continue
such violations"
Count de Sails, British Minister al
the Vatican, who presented President
N Wilson's reply TO Pope Benedict, re
n cejved the impression that the Pope
Y although disappointed at the Presi
dents refusal to undertake negotia.
tons on the lines laid down in the
Papa, note, was touched by the nobility
and dignity Of the Presidents reply
and courtesy toward him personally
The Holy Father. he added, also felt
grieved at the Implying condemnA.
ton of Germany's perfidy