New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-08-17
President Will Confer
With Allies on Reply
to Pontif
Senate to Give Free
Rein to Pacihst Talk
But Overwhelming Vote Is
Probable for Continu-
ance of War
By c. w. Gilbert

MAOhlNulON, aug iV'
Wilson will personally decide the
United States position on the Popes
proposals, of course, after consultation
with the Allies. In this, as in every
major question of diplomacy, he Will
be his own state department.
Mr.. Lansing said yesterday that the
pending proposals had not been dis
cussed between himself and the Presi-
dent, and he Indignantly denied story
which appeared in one of the afternoon
papers here which said he had COM
mitted himself with regard to them IN
conversations with representatives Of
some of the powers.
This story represented him as telling
the Ambassadors of Italy and Brazil
that it was his personal opinion that
the peace proposals could not be ac-
cepted. The Secretary said: at is abb
solutely false. | consider it unps-
triotic to publish statements. like that
which will embarrsss the government" !"
, There is evidently a keen determina-
tion to avoid any such slip as occurred
when the last peace proposals were
being discussed.
Prompt Acknowledgment
The developments of the day were
the receipt of the official text of the
Pope's note and-tbs probable adoption
of a programme with regard to peace
discussions in the United States Sen
ate. The Pope's note was received
through the British Foreign Office and
! the official text does not differ except
slightly from the text already pub
| lished in the newspapers. 1t is ex-
pected that it will be acknowledged
I through the British Foreign Office in a
dispatch that will recognize apprecia-
lively the Pope's desire for peace. The
formal reply will follow several days
later.
With regard to the peace resolutions
! in the Senate, Senator King, of Utah,
/ saw the President this afternoon. After
the conference the Senator gave it as
his personal opinion that the resolu-
tions should go over until after the
war revenue bill is out of the way and
then be freely debated and vote had
upon them.
This is supposed to be the Presi-
dents desire. II comedies with the
wishes of Senator La Toilette. And
apparently nothing stands in the way
of it's being effectuated.
Senate Is Determined
II is expected that vote will show
to the world that the Senate is over
whelmingly for continuing the wal
until a situation II developed which
promises safety for popular govern
ment and undisturbed peace for the
future. Il is felt that the debate will
have a good effect upon opinion here
and among the Allied peoples.
President Wilson may reply to the
Pope before the resolutions come up
and thus he may give the kenynote 10
the speeches in opposition to the Pa
cifst and pro- German Senators. IL is
expected that the position taken by the
majority in the Senate will be much
stronger for war than it has been at
any time past.
! Discussion in diplomatic circles still
runs on the obstacles in the way OF
agreeing to the peace proposals of the
Vatican. The last previous peace pro-
possls made by Berlin were rejected
because they did not disclose peace
terms. but merely invited conference
on peace. These present proposals. II
they were made with an understand
ing of Germany's position, merely dis
close half of Germany's peace terms
directors say and invite conference
upon issues of major importance which
threatened the tranquility of Europe
for years and which cannot be settled by
negotiations. In other words. Germany
IL she accepts the Vatican proposal, as
she is expected to do promptly. will
not meet the condition demanded by
the Allies when last approached; that
is TO say, she will not have disclosed
her terms.
Question of Alsace
How. il is asked. can the question of
Alsace-Lor ever he settled by con
ference? Is there any reason TO be
lieve that Austria will yield to Italy
in regard to her Italian speaking prov
inces at any conference that could be
held? No conclusion on the Balkan sit
uation or on Poland could come from
a conference. And if the war does moi
settle these problems and Germany
does not confess the wrong she has
done to Belgium and to France anc
make financial reparation, and If th'
government remains what it was. WITH
its cynical contempt for covenants anc
agreements. what will be the gain tC
the world from all this fighting?
Now, it may be said pertinently II
opposition to this view that much lest
than a perfect peace may have to b'
agreed to in the end, but the significant
fact is that little is heard in reply q
the prevailing criticism of the compo
sition now offered. Opinion here il
strongly against the Pope's proposals
There can be no question Of that.
first Pictures Of Russian Revolution
rn psuax Il Meek--Adu