The Watertown news. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1917-1919, 1917-08-15
Suggests Foundation for Nego-
tiations Along Lines In
dorsed by Wilson.
Offer INSPIRED BY berlin
Asks Reduction In Armament and Sub
mission of Disputes to Arbitration
as Basis for Negotiations
Favors Restoration of Bel
qium and Peaceful Solu-
ton of Alsace-Lor-
raine Problem.

Rome, Italy, Aug. 15.-Peace pro-
posals made by Pope Benedict have
been delivered to all the belligerent
governments.
The pope suggests restoration OF
Belgium, Serbia, and Roumania and
peaceful solution Of the problems OF
Alsace-Lorraine, Trent, Trieste and
Poland.
Pope Includes Wilson Ideas.
Washington, Aug. 15.-An unofhclai
outline of Pope Benedict's peace pro-
posals received here discloses that
the pontiff includes some Of the prlncl-
ciples of world peace for which
President Wilson has declared.
Among the pope's proposals are reduc-
ton of ornaments, freedom Of the
seas and that there shall be no retail
atory struggle after the war for world
commercial supremacy. These are re-
garded as the foundation stones OF
the pope's plan.
The pope's proposal declares that
the injuries to all belligerents have
been so great that there should be no
thought of reparation except for the
return Of territory.
Included In the restoration of terri
tory, the pope's proposals 1ns1st,
should be the return to Germany OF
all her colonies, as we'll as the COM
plete restoration Of Belgium to her
sovereignty.
In eloquent language the pontif de-
scribes the terrible condition existing
in Europe, which he declares is head
ed for destruction unless the belliger-
ents are willing to listen to the ap-
peaIs of disinterested friends to cease
a suicidal war. Such conditions, the
pope feels, amply justify him in TAX
Ing the present opportunity to suggest
what may be, he hopes, at least
foundation upon which peace negot1a-
tons may be initiated.
Endorses Plans of President.
Unqualified approval of President
Wilson's plan for the avoidance OF fu-
ture wars by some form Of interna-
tional organization which shall nave
behind it the necessary power to en-
force it's judgments is given by Pope
Benedict. who declares that along with
such a splendid project must go an
effective arrangement for reduction OF
ornaments to a point just sufficient
for defensive purposes or to carry out
the mandates of the world court.
Must Be Freedom of Seas.
Any attempt to prevent free econOm-
fc action between the belligerents, the
none points out, would be disastrous /;
therefore he says there must be free
dom of the seas in all that the term
implies.
On the important question of the dis
position of occupied territory and the
territorial ambitions Of the belligerents
the pope, by way o. preface, admits
that special cases might justify spe-
ciaI consideration and still be adjust
ed In conformity with the principles
of equity and justice. But, as a gen.
eral proposition, he feels that prop
er basis for discussion would be the
restoration Of all territory now In enc
my occuption. That would involve lib
GRAFTON of Belgium, leaving not a trace
of German control, political or mill
tary.
The same principle Of unincumbered
freedom in its full sense, he says,
should prevail in regard to every pow
er and nation. Not only must French
territory now occupied by Germany be
restored to France, he says, but, on
the other hand all German colonies