The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-08-14
Reduction of Armament and
World Peace Tribunal.
No Commerce Retaliation by
Nations After the War.
DEMAND NO IkDEMNITIES
No Reparation Except Return
of All Seized Territory.
Europe on Brink of Destrue-
ton Thru a Suicidal War;.

Washington, Aug. 14.-An official
outline of Pope Benedict's peace pro-
posals received here discloses that the
pontiff includes some OF the prin-
cipIes of world peace for which Presi-
dent Wilson has declared
Among the pope's proposals are re-
duction of ornaments. freedom of the
seas and that there shall be no retail
iatory struggle after the war for world
commercial supremacy
These are regarded as the fourda-
ton stones of the pope's plan
The pope's proposal declares that
the injuries to all belligerents have
been so great there should be no
thought of reparation except for the
return of territory.
Return German Colonies.
Included in the restoration OF terri
tory, the pope's proposals insist should
be the return to Germany of all her
colonies as well as the complete
restoration of Belgium 10 her SOW
ereignty- The pope's proposals which
already hive been, delivered to the
resident ambassadors and ministers OF
the warning powers in Rome is quite
long, making in print something mere
than a column of large newspaper
type. Altho special efforts are being
made to facilitate its transmission to
the United States this may not be eff
Meanwhile, however, an accurate
outline of the principal points of rhe
pope'5 communication is in the hands
of the government here and already
has received thoughtful consideration
In eloquent language the pOntfff de-
scribes the terrible conditions in
Europe. which he declares is headed
for destruction unless the belligerents
are willing to listen to the appeals of
disinterested friends to cease a suicidal
81,
amply justify him in taking the pres
ent opportunity to suggest what may
be-. he hopes, at least "a foundation
upon which peace negotiations may be
initiated
Workout Details Later.
At best Pope Benedict's proposals
are only suggested as a rough basis
for such negotiations and he realizes
that the details in all their completely
must be worked out patiently and in
a spirit of Cancellation by the belliger-
ents themselves.
Unqualified approvals of President
Wilson's plan for the avoidance of
future wars by some form of interna-
tional organization which shall have
behind it the necessary power to en-
force its judgments, is given by Pope
Benedict, who declares that along with
such a splendid project must go an
effective arrangement for reduction of
ornaments to a point just sufficient
for defensive purposes or to carry out
the mandates of the world court
1t is inconceivable, the pope holds,
that any permanent peace can be
maintained unless the various peoples
are willing to gather in an amity
founded upon recognition of national
rights. Any attempts to prevent free
economic action between the belliger-
ents. the pope points out. would be
disastrous; therefore, he says, there
must be freedom of the seas in all
that the term implies. The pontiff de-
clares that SO extensive has been the
injury to all the belligerents that
there can be no thought now of either
indemnity or reparation.
Each to Sustain Own Losses.
In a spirit of Cancellation and ius-
tice. he says, all the belligerents must
submit to accept the losses they hove
sustained except in the matter of ter
be no continuation of the war by 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 bel
Hgerents on either side after the war
to have practically no commercial re-
lations with their late enemies On
the important question of the DISPOSE
ritoria1 ambitions of the belligerents,
the pope. by way of preface admits
that special cases might justify special
consideration and still be adjusted in
conformity with the principles of
equity and justice
Vacate Belgium Entirely
But as a general proposition. he
feels that a proper basis for discussion
would be the restoration at once of all
territory now in enemy occupation
That would involve liberation of Bel
GUM, leaving not a trace of German
control. political or military
The same. principle of unencumber-
ed freedom in its full sense he SAYS,
must prevail in regard to every pow
er and nation Not only must such
territory now occupied by Germany
be restored to France he says but on
the other hand, all German colonies
which have been occupied by Eng
tConttnued on Page TwoI