Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1917-08-16
Both Senate and House Lead
erS Determine That No Pub
lie Discussion of Peace Talk
Shall Occur,
LA toilette AND STONE
TO BE SUPPRESSED
Any Attempt at SpeeCh-mak-
ing by Pro-Gernans in Up
per House Will Be Baked
Promptly,


Washington, Aug. Is. Confer
ences among entente diplomats today
crystallized into conviction the opin-
ion here that Pope Benedict's peace
move is not likely to change in any
substantial degree the attitude either
OF the allies or the American govern
nent.
1t is agreed, however that there
must be a response to the pope's pro-
posal far more comprehensive than
Il mere acknowledgment To do this
without opening the field to argu-
Elent which might result in develop
ing differences between the allies to
be seized upon by the Germans is
realized to be a delicate undertaking.
On the other hand some considera-
ton is being given to the suggestion
that the pontiff has given President
Wilson a golden opportunity TO again
impress upon the American people
ard the world in the most convincing
fashion the rectitude of his position
in recommending to congress the
declaration of state of war with
Germany.
Traps are Feared.
Secretary Lansing is reserving any
expression Of opinion until he has the
official text of the pope's message
Experience has taught him that often
traps are concealed in diplomatic
communications that are not visible
in any abstract. While there is no
disposition to question the good
faith of the pope, it is conceivable
that he might have been imposed up
on by German cunning assuming that
he has been induced to take this
step through the pleas of the strong
Catholic elements in Austria and Ba-
varia. The official text had not
reached Washington tonight. Mr.
Lansing talked during the day sepa-
rately with Ambassador Jusserand of
France and Colville Barclay, charge
OF the British embassy.
Formal Exchanges Later.
These talks may be regarded as
preliminary to the more formal ex-
changes expected to take place before
answers are returned to the vatican
and it Is understood they are design
ed to place the foreign offices in Lon
don and Paris in possession of the
views of Secretary lansing as a basis
for their own actions.
Ambassador Riano of Spain also
talked with the secretary, who after
ward indicated that he thought the
pope's message might reach him
through that channel.
VIII Avoid Peace Talk.
In anticipation of an outburst of
peace talk at the capitol, plans were
made during the day by senate lead
ers, both democratic and republican,
to prevent open discussion of the
subject In the senate. They propose
to force, executive sessions and close
the doors upon the beginning by any
senator of an address bearing on
peace negotiations or the general
subject of peace.
Senators of the small so-called
pacifist group are expected to oppose
the secret session program. The
leaders, however, are prepared To
base their action upon the ground
that such discussion would relate to
treaties, including possible peace
treaty, and therefore, as is usual in
all such matters, should be carried
on behind closed doors.
VIII Back Pro- Germans.
If adhered to, the secret session
plan would materially affect speeches
planned by Senator Stone, chairman
of the foreign relations committee,
Senator La Toilette and others on
the Wisconsin senator's resolution
that this nation and the
allies make more definite announce
ment of possible peace terms.
Again today the fact appeared
that without exception, every rep
resentative of the allied powers is
bitterly opposed to that phase of the
pope's proposals which would leave
to the fate of round table confer
ence the disposition of such aues-
tions as Alsace-L Lorraine, Poland and
Italia Irredentia.