Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-08-16
LANSING C0NFE:RS
With ALLIES ON
P0PE'S PROPOSAL
Various Diplomatic Confer
ences on Subject Already
in Progress.
PRELIMINARY TO MORE
FORMAL EXCHANGES LATER
Peace Move Not Likely to
Change in Any Substantial De-
gree American Attitude.
OFFICIAL TEXT NOT RECEIVED
Plans Made by Leaders to Prevent
Oren Discussion OF Mat
PRELIMINARY TO MORE
FORMAL EXCHANGES LATER
OFFICIAL TEXT NOT RECEIVED
Plans Made by Leaders to Prevent
Oren Discussion of Mat
ter in Senate.
JBv Associated Prc.s.l

IBy Associated Prcssl
WASHINGTON. August l5.-Confer-
ences among the entente diplomats to-
day crystallized into conviction the
opinion 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
ment.
II is agreed. however. that there must
be made response TO the Pope's pro-
posals far more comprehensive than
mere Acknowledgement of receipt. To
do this without opening the field OF
argument which might result In de-
veloping differences between the allies.
TO be seized upon BY the Germans. is
realized to be 4 difficult and delicate
undertaking.
On the other hand. some considera-
tion Is being given TO the suggestion
that the Pontif has given President
Wilson a golden opportunity to again
Impress upon the American people and
the world in the most convincing
fashion the rectitude OF his position in
recommending TO Congress the declara-
tion Of state of war with Germany.
Secretary Lansing is reserv!ng any
expression OF opinion until he has the
official text Of the Pope's message. Ex-
perience has taught him tat often
traps are concealed in diplomatic COM
munications that are not visible in any
abstract. While there is 10 disposition
to question the good faith of the Pope.
Il Is conceivable that he might have
hv cnp
assuming that he has been induced to
take this step through the pleas of the
rtrong Catholic elements in Austria and
Bavaria.
OFFICIAL TEXT NOT
YET IN wASHINGTOS
The onicial text had not reached
Washington tonight. but that fact did
not prevent various diplomatic confer
ences on the subject Mr. Lansing
talked during the day separately with
Ambassador Jusserand, Of France. and
Colonel Vile Barclay. charge Of the
British embassy. in the absence OF AM
bassador Spring Rice.
These talks may be regarded as pre-
liminary TO the more formal exchanges
expected to take place among the allied
powers before answers are returned to
stood they are designed to place the
Foreign Offices In London and Paris
in posse ssion Of the general views OF
Secretary Lansing as b: sis for their
own actlons
Ambassador Riano. of Spain, also
talked with the secretary who after
wards indicated that he thought the
Pope's message might reach him
through that channel.
In anticipation of an outburst Of
peace talk at the Capitol. plans were
made during the day by Senate leaders.
both Democratic and Republican to
prevent open discussion of the subject
in the Senate. They propose to force
executive session and close the doors
upon the beginning OF any Senator Of
an address bearing on peace negotia-
iions or the general subject OF peace.
PACIFIsT SENATORS WILL
OPPOSE SECRET SESSION
Senators of the small so-called
paclhst group are expected to oppose
the secret-session program. The lead
ers however, are prepared to base
their action upon the ground that such
discussions would relate to treaties. in
Guiding a possible peace treaty, and,
therefore. as is usual in all such mat
ters, should be carried on behind closed
doors.
II adhered to, the secret-session plan
would materially affect speeches
planned by Senator Stone, chairman Of
the Foreign Relations Committee and
by Senator La Toilette and others on
the Wisconsin Senator's proposal that
this nation and the allies make more
definite announcement OF possible peace
terms
Those who expect President Wilson
to make his reply to the Pope the oc-
casion for testament OF Americas
reasons for going to war think some
thing Of the same kind may be done
in London. Paris and Rome, to meet
the Socialist unrest, with the purpose
Of directing the activities of Socialists
into proper channels, rather than try
ing to suppress them by force.
vow BETHMANN-HoLLwE
OFFERED SAME BAIT
Again to-day the fact appeared that
wi1s.out exception every representative
of tbs entente allied powers is bitterly
opposed to that phase of the Pope's
proposals which would leave to the
fate Of a round Liable conference the
disposition Of such questions as Alsace-
Lorraine. Poland and Italia Irredentia,
and 1t was recalled that precisely that
bait was held out by Chancellor Beth
mann-Hollweg more than a year ago.
when he realized that the German wave
: of invasion had reached It's height, and
that the tide might be expected to flow
backward.