The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1917-09-22
Lansing authorizes No
Quotation of Opinion, .
But Attitude Certain
UNITED STATES
AIMS UNALTERED
Monarchs Declare Peace
Desire-Austria Wants
No Restrictions
CBy Associated Press)

1u6r 1LLll C6AJ OI U6I-
many's answer to Pope
Benedict's peace note
shows the German govern
ment expressing deep ap-
probation of the papal eff
forts to bring about peace
and greeting with special
sympathy the leading idea
of the peace appeal, -" en-
bodying the papal conVic-
ton "that the material
power of arms must be-
suppressed by the moral
power of right.
Stress is laid upon the
claim that Emperor Will
liam all through his reign,
has been animated by paci-
fic purposes, and that he did
his utmost to prevent the
present war. The papal
recommendations for lini-
tations of armament and
settlement of disputes by
arbitration are sympathe-
tically alluded to, and it is
declared that the German
government will in this re-
spect, compatible with the
vital interest of the Ger
man empire on people, sup
port this proposal.
1t is pointed out particu-
larly that representatives
of the German people were
taken into confidence in
preparing the reply to the
papal note.
Nothing approaching a
definite idea of what Ger
many's terms would be
were a peace conference
called, is contained in the
note.
Washington, Sept. 22.-The replies
made by Germany and Austria 20
Pope Benedicts peace proposal con-
tain nothing that will in any way
alter the position of the United
States as outlined in the Presidents
reply to the pope.
The first examination Of the re-
plies, officials thought, failed TO dis
close anything in the nature OF terms
which would AFFORD a basis for dis
cussion.
Secretary Lansing authorized no
quotation Of any opinion for the
government, but 1t was clearly in
dicated at the state department that
such consideration as had been given
to the reply had failed to develop
any reason for any alteration OF the
aims or intentions OF this govern
ment, either in the conduct OF the
war or in any peace adjustment that
may be undertaken later.
"Just And Lasting Peace"
Amsterdam, Sept. 22.-The Ger
man reply to Pope Benediet's peace
proposal declares special measures
taken by the government in closest
contact with the representatives Of
the German people to discuss an-
swering the questions raised, proves
how earnestly IL desires to find a
practical basis for a just and last
ing peace.
Continuing. the reply says Ger
many fully recognizes with his hole
ness the high peace producing ef-
feet Of arbitration to decide internal
differences Of opinion
and in this respect Germany Is
ready TO support every proposal
compatible with the vital interest
of the German empire and people.
The German reply says the imper-
lal government greets with special
the leading idea In which
his holiness clearly expresses the
conviction that the future material
power Of arms must be superseded
by the moral power Of right.
The reply says in part:
"Appreciating the Importance Ck
his holiness declaration the Imperial
government has not failed % submit
The suggestion contained therein to
earnest and scrupul0ns examination.
Special measures which the govern
ment has taken In closest contact
with representatives OF the German
people for discussing and answering
The questions raised proved how
earnestly Il desires IN accordance
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