The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1917-08-16
German Inspiration Seen !
His Offer of Peace to War :
ring Nations of the :
BRITISH PRESS ANSWER
Official Text Of Appeal Given Out
Does Not Impress Allies
as Being 40
ceptable.
[By Carl D. Groat, United Press
Staff CORRESPONDENT

llDy Nt1Il u. CTTOdL, FIcSe
Staff Correspondent
WASHINGTON, Aug. 16.-Presi
dent Wilson is expected to answer
the pontiff's peace plea with state
ment showing the world why the al.
lies must fight on so long as the Ger
man autocracy exists.
| He probably will receive the pope's
note today. According to his advis-
ers. there is only one course open
to him.
! he will re-state more emphatically
! wars against Germany's autocratic
fsystem-its fntrigues and horrors
rather than with any aim of crushing
the German people themselves. 1t is
expected to be another bid to the
German liberals to cast off the yoke
of kaiserdom, and effect new gov
ernment shorn of schrecklichkeit
That this government will reject
the pope's proffer is now regarded
certain. Germany's rules win prob
ably revive the old claim that the
hand of every nation is against her
people for conquest. But if President
Wilson follows the course his advis-
ers say he will, he will nullify that
claim.
| Pope Benedict's suggestions for
reciprocal disarmament, future arbi-
tration to 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, return to the
territorial status before the war with
negotiations over such disputed
lands as Alsace-Lorraine and Italia
Irrendenta.
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 inhu-
man practices and Unsuitable greed.
The impression that Austrian influ-1
ences has worked on the pope was
rather dissipated today by publica-
tion of the peace message wherein
Benedict declared he was "solely
compelled by a sentiment of our su-
preme duty" and not by the "sugges
tions or interests Of any Of the bel
ligerents."
Among diplomats here, however,
there was some resentment of the
pope's proposal to allow Germany to
return to her undespoiled nation,
while the French and others must re-
pair grave damages without adequate
compensation. The allied conten
ton is that the kaiser should have
further retribution visited on him.
Vigorous exception is taken to the
popes placing all the warning ma
tions On an equal footing, in view Of
Germany's violations Of law and
atrocities committed on civil popula-
ticns.
On the other hand the common
people, 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 Influential source as the !
pope, with a devoted following of
millions.
The government stated today it is |,
going ahead with war preparations
as vigorously as before. This deter |
coupled with the proposed !
refusal of the appeal, is likely to have /
the psychological effect in Germany !
Of striking new despair to an already !
suffering population.
Certain to be Rejected.
[By John H. Hearley, United Press
Staff Correspondent
ROME, Aug. 16.-Pope Benedict's |
peace proposals are certain to be re-
jected by the allies, in view of the |
Italian press.
Unanimous opinion was expressed |
today that his holiness has failed to /
include any of the principle points for /
which the entente powers are fighting. |
''The papal initiative is doomed to !
lContdnued on page 81 A