Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1917-09-01
Outline Of the New Proposal
Shows Plan Still Favorable
to Germany
FINDS ENCOURAGEMENT
in PRESIDENTS STAND
Wilson's Distinction Between
German Government and
People Anglers
By John H. Hearley

(umted Press staff corresp0ndent)
Rome, Sept. l.-Pope Benedict is still
hopeful that peace may come, perhaps
soon, ON President Wilson q own terms
--democratization of Germany.
An exclusive epitome Of the vati-
can S view of the presidents Is note, as
given the United Press today. contain
ed this significant expression of optim-
ISM
The initial disappointment Of the Am
eriean reply has been dissipated in part
the United Press was informed, by
careful weighing of the president 3
words.
The pope now sees the note as hold
ing promise and not as cold, abso-
Lutte rejection, either automatically or
psyehologically.
He is hopeful that President Will
son s attitude eventually, perhaps
soon, will cause the creation of a Ger
man chancellory responsible to the
people, said one Of the United Press
informants.
Pope is cheered
It-een be stated on the highest aus
thority that the pope has been cheered
by some features of the president 8
note. The holy father believes that the
president s persistent and insistcnt dis
iinction drawn between the German
people and the German government,
and what certain vatican officials cali
his ''fixed genius of direction" il
changing the whole philosophy of the
allied war.
At the same time the pope regards
the president as the most insistent of
all the heads of belligerent nations ON
continuance of the war to a decision.
A careful reading of his note, coupled
with such expressions of Americas
aims as the president made before con-
gress in December, however, convinces
the vatican that there is common
ground of opinion between the vatican
and Washington.
The "just christian peace" which
Pope Benedict proposed in his appeal
was regarded as entirely harmonious
with the American president s policies.
Those policies, as the vatican saw them
today, were in the main:
The Main Contentious
No punitive damages.
No dismenberment OF empires.
No exclusive economic leagues.
NO implied, direct or indirect restric-
tions as to the seas.
AS bearing with special significance
on the pope's reported view that de-
mocratization of Germany might yet
come about, officials today recalled the
United Press exclusive information of
two days ago reporting that not only
Emperor Karl of Austria, but Kaiser
Wilhelm himself had written the pope
indicating a pledge to the widest DEM
ocratization.
In Rome diplomatic circles today, the
view was expressed that the American
note by its specific structures against
ACKNOWLEDGMENT of nations, had destroy
ed the probability of q declaration of
war against America by Austria Hun
gary or at least had postponed such
S ep for some time.
May Meet Objections
An evidently inspired editorial to-
dav in the Corriere d Italia declared:
at is not impossible, but very prob
able. that the holy see win answer the
objections of President Wilson and
others after receiving all replies. Thus,
fresh discussions, leading 70 further
results, will be provoked. The presi-
dent is mistaken in asserting that the
pope advised reestablishment of tho
status quo.
son the contrary, he proposes rad
zeal changes, especially as to Polands
Armenia, the Balkans, etc.
we do not wish to quarrel with the
substance of President Wilson 8 ans
wer, but believe high ideals cannot be
obtained by violence, but must be pas