Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-08-15
An Accurate Outline

An Accurate Outline
The Pope's proposals which have all
ready been delivered to the resident
ambassadors and ministers of the
warning powers in Rome, are quite
long, making in print something more
than column of large newspaper type
Although special efforts are being
made to facilitate it's transmission to
the United States this may not be eff
fected for at least day or two
Meanwhile, however, an accurate out
line Of the principal points of the Pope's
communication is in the hands Of the
government here and already has had
thoughtful consideration
In eloquent language the pontiff de-
scribes the terrible conditions existing in
Europe, which he declares is headed for
destruction unless the belligerents are
willing to listent to the appeals Of disin-
! terested friends to cease a suicidal war.
Such conditions, the Pope feels. amply
justify him in taking the present oppor-
tunity to suggest what may be- he hopes
at least foundation upon which peace
negotiations may be initiated.
At best Pope Benedict's proposals are
only suggested as a rough base for such
negotiations and he realizes that the de-
tails in all their complexity must be
worked out patiently and in a spirit of
Cancellation by the beligerents them
selves.
Unqualified approval of President Will
sons plan for the avoidance of future
wars by some form OF international or
ganzation. which shall have behind II the
necessary power to enforce its judgments
that along with such splendid project
must go an effective arrangement for re-
duction of ornaments to a point Just sug-
ficient for defensive purposes or to carry
out the mandates Of the world court.
Freedom of Seas
1t is uncomfortable. the Pope holds.
that any permanent peace can be main
tanned unless the various peoples are
willing to gather in unity founded upon
recognition of national right Any at
tempt to prevent free economic action be-
tween the belliSerents. the Pope points
out, would be disastrous; therefore he
says there must be freedom Of the seas
in all that the term implies. y
The pontiff declares that so extensive
has been the injury to all the belligerents
that there can be no thought now Of
indemnity or reparation.
In a spirit of Cancellation and JUS
tice, he says. all the belligerents must
submit to accept the losses they have
sustained except in the matter Of ter
ritory, and besides these questions Of
indemnity and reparation. the Pope de-
clares that there must be no continu-
alton of the war, an economic struggle
for supremacy thereafter. which would
be purely evil.
This refers directly to the so-called
Paris economic conference which was
followed by one in Vienna where the
effort was made to bind the belliger-
ents on either side after the war to
have practically no commercial rela
tons with their late enemies
Disposition Of Territory
On the important question Of the dis
position of occupied territory and the
territorial ambitions Of the belliger-
ents, the Pope by way of preface. ad-
mits that special cases might justify
special consideration and still be ad-
justed in conformity with the princi-
pies of equity and justice. But. as
general proposition. he feels that
proper basis for discussion would be
the restoration of all territory now in
enemy occupation. That would in
volve liberation of Belgium, leaving
not a trace of German control, poll
teal or military. The same principle
&c froa5nr1 in, f,,I1
sense, he says, should prevail in re-
gard to every power and nation. Not
only must French territory now occu-
pied by Germany be restored to
France he says. but on the other hand
all German colonies which have been
occupied by England, Portugal. Bel
GUM and Japan should be returned to
Germany.
The more difficult question Of
Italia Irredenta," the Pope thinks.
should be examined in a spirit Of con-
Citation and fairness and that special
consideration in the settlement should
be given to national aspirations.
The Balkan States
Likewise does the Pope hold that the
complex questions involved in read
justment of the Balkan states should
be considered in the same spirit of
equity and justice. He has especially
in mind Armenia, the Balkans and Po-
alnd and the intimation conveyed Is
that the questions can safely be dealt
with by direct diplomatic exchanges
between the belligerents. once an
agreement is reached upon the gen.
eral principles of recognition Of ma
tional aspirations and justice.
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