Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-08-17

AMSTERDAM aug. 16.-Pope Bene-
diet has Germany's peace terms. &C
cord.ng 20 a prominent politician quoted
by the LokaI Anze!ger today. who de-
oIarss ne has surely informed GermOny's
enemies Of them
WASHINGTON. Aug. Is.-President
Wilson is expected tO'answer the pom
tins peace plea with a statement show
ing the world why the allies must
fight on so long as the German autocra-
cy exists.
He probably will receive the pope's
note today. According TO his advisors
there is only one course open to him.
They say unless present signs fail,
ne will restate more emphatically than
ever that the United States wars against
.Ge-many's autOcracy system-its in
trigue and hO-rOrs-rather than with
any aim of crushing the German peo-
pie themselves
II Is expected TO be another bid to
the German liberals to cast Off the yoke
of kaiserdon. and effect a new gov
eminent Shorn of schrecKlichkeit.
That this government Will reject the
pope's prefer is now regarded certain.
Germany's rulers will probably revive
the old claim that the hand Of every
nation is against her people for con-
quest But. If President Wilson fol-
lows the course his advisers say he
will. he will nuilify that claim.
Pope Benedicrs suggestions for recip-
rocaI disarmament. future arbitration
10 insure peace and freedom of the seas
met with approval here. They square
with President Wilson's views. But the
big stumbling block was his advocacy
OF a return 10 the territorial status be-
fore the war, with negotiations over
such disputed lands as Alsace-LorraiDe
and Italia Irredenta-
This idea, President Wilson has said.
cannot be accepted
He will doubtless point this fact out
anew in replying to the pope, and will
cast upon Germany's government the
burden OF responsibility for inhuman
practices and Unsuitable greed
The impression that Austrian influ-
ence has worked on the pope was rather
!, dfssipated today by publication Of the
peace message wherein Pope Benedict
declared he was solely impelled by a
sentiment Of our supreme duty and
not by the suggestions or interests OF
any Of the belligerents-
Among diplomats here however. there
was some resentment OF the pope's pro-
posai to allow Germany to return TO
her undespoiled nation. whilst the
French and others must repair grave
DAMAGES without adequate compensa-
ton The allied contention is that the
kaiser should have further retribution
visited upon him. Vigorous exception
is taken TO the pOpe's placing all the
warning nations on an equal footing
I'm view OF Germany's violations OF law
and atrocities committed on civil popu-
Iations
on the other hand. the common peo-
pie who do the fighting and tax paying
the world over will doubtless give more
thought to peace than heretofore, since
the offer came from such an inauen-
tiaI source as the pope, with devoted
following OF millions
The government stated today IL is
going ahead with war preparations as
vigorously as before This determine
ton. coupled with the proposed refusal
of the appeal. is likely to have the
PSYCHOLOGICAL effect in Germany OF
striking new despair to an already suf-
tsring population.
The text OF the pope's communication
served 10 strengthen the prevalent
opinion that there is no Likelihood OF
the proposals being accepted in their
present form. That public opinion in
the allied countries. insistent on ia
vorabIy decisive elimination Of hostili-
ties will cause the offer TO be re-
tected. was generally conceded here
Action TO put into effect plans OF
leaders TO forestau any attempt TO
open discussion OF peace in the senate
appeared imminent when that body con-
vened today. Present plans call for
executive sessions to consider closing
the doors for peace debate Senators
OF the so-czlled pacifist group were eN-
.pected to oppose the secret session pro-
gram
Strong pressure is being brought to
bear upon the president by administra-
ton leaders either to speak 10 congress
again on Americas war aims. or reply
20 the pope in such maner as to still
the plants o fthe paciists-
Secretaries Baker McAdoo and Lana
have ben appealed TO request the presi-
dent TO take this coure- 1t Is necessary.
administration senator's say, to counter
act the effect Of uterances in congress
and through paciist propaganda which
is stirring a real indecision in the minds
of many people throughout the country
as To this coutnry's aims.