Arizona republican., 1917-08-17
[[0YD-GEORGE SAYS TROUBLES
 " 0F ALLIES WILL CROW LESS /. AND THEIR POWER INCREASE

and for 1919 if necessary, were hailed joyfully as a sign of Great Britain's safe position and firm attitude.
 The pope's message was laid before President Wilson by secretary Lans- ing. Important conferences which must precede a reply will begin shortly but necessarily some time must elapse before the response goes forward.
 While there already nuve been many informal conferences among officials and diplomats regarding the pope's proposals, it may be stated on Secre- tary Lansing's authority that the sec retary so far has not discussed the subject with the president and also has refrained from communicating his views regarding the character of reply which should be made to any of the many diplomatic callers he has had since the first press notice of the dis patch of the popes communication.
 MT Lansing has felt that it would be improper to indicate even in a personal way what he thought of the communi- cation and he has also deprecated any attempt by the newspapers to forecast the action of the government in this matter, as likely to prove very embar- rassing.
 Among other officials and the diplo- mats, however, there is no such reti- cence While battles have increased in number and wdXed in intensity and the slaughter has continued in the most distressful manner, it is pointed out there has been no such change Tn gen. eral war conditions as would warrant different reception for peace proposals from any quarter than would have been accorded to those made year ago. Attention is directed to the fact that any such changes as may have occurred | in the military situation have made It distinctly to the advantage of the cen | tral powers to endeavor to make peace | now.
 Notwithstanding the different and conflicting statements made by German and Austrian ministers as to basis Of peace negotiations, it is declared by 1 some of the diplomats who have close 1 ly studied the situation that nowhere | has there been any real evidence of an abandonment of the first German de- mand for a peace based lon the map which would insure the central powers actual military, if not technical and po- litical control of the territories in pos session of the Germanic troops when peace is declared.
 The Germans, in possession of most of Belgium and large part of France were quite willing a year ago to make peace. But with the Russians in pos session of some of their best eastern provinces, the Austrian government
 was not of a like mind Now 1t is pointed out by the entente diplomats, as a result of the collapse of the Russian offensive and the clearing of Glicia oi Russian troops, the Austrian govern ment also is willing and anxious fol , peace. as are the Germans in the knowl-
 edge that the tide has turned agains
 them in the west and that next veal
 probably will find them in possession O little or no French and Belgian terri
 tory.
 It is admitted by these diplomats tha
 it is inconceivable that the vatican
 should have been influenced by any O
 these military considerations, but it i!
 insisted that they must be taken into
 account by the foreign offices of thu . entente powers when they pass upOl
 the pope's appeal.
 In addition to consulting with Presi
 dent Wilson, Secretary Lansing will be
 (Continued on Page Two)