The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1917-08-18
Will be Such as to Afford Basis
For Peace if Germany
is At ALI Sin
cere.
BE DECIDED NEXT WEEK
Teuton Nations Jump at the Chance
to Talk Peace Win tho
Pontlff and Promise
Him Support.

by Carl D. Groat, United Press StalI
Correspondent
WASHINGTON, Aug. 1s.-
m President Wilson's reply to
sS@ the pope's peace offer may
W. afford an actual working
basis for Fastening the end OF the
war. Germany and Austria already
have moved in this direction, dis
patches from Rome say today.
Belief grows that the president, IN
courteously declining the holy sees
suggestion now. will offer q construc-
tive policy, in which the liberals OF
the world may find real encourage
ment.
opinion is strong here that decis-
ion on the scope of the allied an
swer has been left up to the presl-
dent, allied diplomats believed 1t so
thoroughly that delayed vacations
were undertaken. The British, Ital-
ian and Chinese ENJOYS left the city
apparently assured that there Is
no further need of consultation be-
tween them and the state depart
ment over the peace situation.
Four OF the presidents cabinet
likewise left on brief vacations.
No official announcement has been
made as to the answer, but Wilson's
advisers say he will make the Unit
ed States position clear before the
world.
The president Will be deliberate
about his course-both because Of the
independence Of the document be-
fore him and likewise to avoid
haste which would tend to affront
the vatican and it's followers. Con-
crete suggestions have been offered.
They don't meet with American gov
ernment approval, but with a start
thus made it Is possible the president
may include in his answer the gen
eral terms Of America and her allies.
Between the pope's offer and such
a presidential answer, the Teutons
would know exactly where they stand
as to concluding peace, II they are
sincere In wishing to bring it about.
Next week will probably see some
stateme ent as to this governments
course. or an actual reply forwarded.
Supporting Pontifs.
AMSTERDAM, Aug. 1S.-Although
it appears there has been some delay
in publishing the full text Of the
pope's peace appeal in Germany.
Berlin advices here today indicate an
increasing disposition to support the
pontiff.
The editorials received here show
a distinct change from the first ex-
pressions which declared the pope's
conditions did not contain the most
important German specifications.
The Tageblatt declares that the
conditions as outlined by the pope,
and the recent reichstag declarations
are in accord. There is little dispo-
sition to accept the pontiff's sugges-
tons as to Belgium, without stipula-
tions as to the future relations of this
country with France and England
and the general tenor of expressions
ia that Alsace cannot be surrendered.
The German papers declare the allies
may as well realize that the central
powers' position precludes military
victory and that thousands Of lives
would be saved If these powers would
accept a peace of exchange and con-
ciliation.
Germany Eagerly Accepts.
ROME. Aug. 1s.--Germany has as
sured Pope Benedict of her moral
adhesion to the peace proposals put
forward by the pontiff, according to
dispatches published here today. Aus
tria has gone further and declared
her readiness to initiate new negotia'
tions. information from the same
source asserts.
The dispatches reporting this sup
port given the pope's proposals were
from Berne and published by the Idea
Nazionales. The reports were no
more than were expected in govern
ment circles. Having taken the view
that the pontiffs action was inspired
by Austria, the general belief has