The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-08-16
General Belief That Aims Of
War Will Be Re-Stated In
Answer
GERMANY USING
AUSTRIA IS THOUGHT
If Berlin Brings Forth Fruits
of Repentance, Civilization
Will Heed Cry Of Central
Powers for Peace

Washington. Aug. 1b.-Pope Bens-
diets peace proposal had not bssn
received today by the government. but
Secretary Lansing said the summary
as published was substantially In ace
cord with the official outline he has
before him.
There is no change In tho drst I'm.
preston. that the allies certainly win
reject the proposal In its present foSR
and probably refuse to consider It -
all. There Is q growing probability
their refusal they will re-stAte thcir
war aims.
Declining to discuss the war aims
of the allies on the ground that thay
might change frequently, Mr.. Lam
sing said there had been no alters.
ton in tho aims or plans Of the Uni
ted States since his speech 1t Madts
son barrackA
Mr.. Lansing declined to say whseA-
er there had been any agreement with
tho allies regarding the aims Of the
war. but intimated that all ware In
accofd-
The communication from Rome
probably viii DO transmitted to the
state department through the papAl
legations. The answer involves .
delicate task for the belligerents. b.
cause the proposals offer to q war.
weary world a hope for the restoFa-
ton Of peace.
Germany Using Austria y
The first appraisal Of officials and
diplomats was that the offer was
merely another attempt by Germany
to bring an end to the war. The tua-
preston was general that the impe-
rial government used Austria, be-
cause OF the latter's close relation to
the vatican, to influence 4 new peace
offer There IL no disposition to quss-
ton the good faith Of Rome, although
the Roman Catholic element have
been most prominent in the recent
peace agitation in Berlin.
Secretary Of State lansing today
confirmed the opinion that a. the
status Of the papal legation IN WASH
ington in purely personal an ofictal
and strictly political move like an Of.
fer of peace discussions. would b.
transmitted through strictly formal
channels
Has No Diplomatic Status.
The papal legate Is not accredited
to the government Of the United
States. but to the Catholic people Of
the United States He has not ofYicial
relations with the government, though
he is personally welcomed At the
from time to time presented matters
of an informal nature The presi-
dents knowledge OF the first peace
suggestion of Pope Benedict came
through Cardinal Gibbons. The pres
ent situation is so serious. however,.
that 1t Is not believed that the mat
ter will be left to this informal negoti-
alton.
Spain. Brazil and tho Argentine Re-
public all have accredited representa-
tives at the vatican and the vatican
has oficial representatives at their
capitals. The likely course for q
peace suggestion to follow would he
through one Of these capitals ana
thence to Washington. The report
was received here today that Brasil
already had received the peace note.
The Brazilian ambassador was un-
able late this evening to confirm or
deny this. 1t was stated at the
Spanish embassy that nothing had
been heard there OF the transmission
OF a note from the pope. In this cone
nection the internal troubles in IA.
desirable for King Alfonso to assume
too close relationship with thu
Catholic party. were recalled and II
Is not considered probable that the
note will come through Spain.
No actual assurance has bean gtvVA
to the vatican that peace proposals
will be welcomed. No such ASSURE
ances will be given. nor would they
be true exactly.
Welcome" is hardly the word. II
implies too much Of cordial feolin9
towards the enemy ana the country q
making It increasingly evident thai
there is no cordially here for Ger
many.
Grievances CataIogued.