The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1917-08-16

for the material force of arms.
Reciprocal diminution of arma
ments, leaving only sufficient arma
ment for the maintenance of public
order
Substitution of arbitration for arm
lies.
| Each state must accept the interna
tional decision according to establish
ed rules and be subject to punishment
lie refusing to submit to arbitration or
accept the decision.
True liberty and freedom Of the
seas.
Restitution OF all occupied terri
tories.
Evacuation of Belgium, with guaran-
tee of her full political and economic
independence.
AS for the Irredenta territory, it is
hoped that in view OF the advantages
of durable peace with disarmament.
the disputing countries will be willing
to examine each question in concil-
iatory spirit.
The question OF the Balkans, Poland
and Armenia to be examined in the
same spirit of equity and justice.
England was frankly surprised that
the pope should place the armies Of
SVi anu OA Gil lOSOlutO
plane, there being no word of censure,
no protest against the Belgian horrors.
no mention OF expecting from Ger
many some statement that would give
the allies guarantees that such agree
ments as his holiness suggests might
not in the future be declared scraps
Of paper" and thrown aside.
The whole world recognizes that
he of he of bprh Sides
is safe" the pope asserts.
The honor of the army which invad-
ed Belgium which massacred women
and children. which shot Edith Cavell,
which deported helpless men and wo-
men into slavery, which ruthIessly de-
yastated the rich fields and orchards
Of France in its recent strategic re-
treat" is therefore put on level with
the honor of the army of France, and
England, fighting in defense of their
homes. of national honor and against
an autocracy that threatened to en-
gulf the world. England refuses to re
gard the honor of such armies in the
same light.
The pope's message, which is ap-
1000 words long, is de-
voted in its beginning to a recitation
Of the horrors of the war and to the
efforts tae vatican has made from
time to time to restore peace.
1t is pointed out that the vatican
has been entirely impartial. The
spread of the conflagration is pointed
cut, the increasing horrors and suffer
ing, after which the pope asks:
rs this civilized world to be moth
ing more than field of death? and
Europe so glorious and so flourishing.
is, it going, as If stricken by uni
versal madness to run the abyss and
lend its hand to it's own suicide?'
The portions of the pope's message
in which he outlines terms follows:
THE fundamentals must be that
the material force Of arms be substi-
tuted by the moral force of right,
which shall arise fair agree
ment by all for reciprocal dimInution
Of armament in accordance with es-
tablished rules and guarantees, in
measure sufficient for maintenance of
public order in the states. This in
wolves, in addition, the substitution
for armies Of the institution OF arbi-
t-ation in accordance with rules to be
and penalties to be impos
ed on states which would refuse to
submit questions to arbitration or &C
cept it's decisions.
With the supremacy of right thus
established, true liberty and freedom
Of the seas would be assured, contrib
uting to removal of many causes of
conflict and opening all new sources
Of prosperity and progress. AS to
damages and war expenses, we see
no way Of solving the question other
than by submitting general principal
OF complete and reciprocal co-ordina-
ton which would be justified by the
great benefit to be derived from dis
armament.
There are particular reasons for
certain cases. They require the liber-
alton with justice and equity, but
these agreements with the advantages
to be from them derived are impos-
sible without reciprocal restitution of
territory now occupied.
las to Germany, there should be
complete evacuation Of Belgium with
guarantees of her full political, mill
try and economic independence
Also the evacuation OF French ter
ritory and similar resolutions OF Ger
man colonies by the other belligerents
With regard to territorial questions
as those existing between Italy and
Austria md between Germany and
France, there is reason to hope that in
view Of the advantages of a durable
peace with disarmament, the parties
would wish to examine the matters
with a conciliatory spirit, considering
the aspirations of the people and the
general welfare of humanity.
4 spirit Of equity and justice
should De followed in examination Of
other questions such as those relating
to the Balkans, Armenia and Poland. !
whose traditions and sufferings during
the present war should attract the
Of all nations.
In presenting these conditions to
you We are animated by desire for /
their acceptance and to see. the con- !
clusion at an early date of the strug- !
gle which appears more and more a |
useless massacre.
THE whole world recognizes that /
the honor OF the armies of both sides /
Is safe. Give your ears, therefore, to ,