THE PAPAL NOTE

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3174, 27 August 1917, Page 5

THE PAPAL NOTE

ALLIED MINISTERS AT THE VATICAN

DEFINITION OF FREEDOM OF THE SEAS Rome, August 24. The Pope, giving an audience to the Allied Ministers at tho Vatican, defined, the phraso "freedom of the 6eas" in. tho Papal Note as being the same as in President Wilson's message, leaving tho belligerents to settle the details—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn. STATEMENT BY CARDINAL GASPARRI CREATES MORE FAVOURABLE IMPRESSION. New York, August 21. A statement by Cardinal Gajfparri, ■ particularly a 6uggeStion that Belgium should bo compensated, has created a more favourable impression in tho State Department than tho original Papal pka. The belief is expressed that peaco may depend on tho Pope's ability to secure German consent to reparation.— Aus.-N.Z, Cable Assn. HOW THE NOTE WAS FORMULATED ! NOT SUGGESTED BT ANY BELLIGERENT. I (Rec. August 25, 3.30 p.m.) New Yorlc, August 2iCardinal Gaeparri lias given out tha following amplifying statement on the Pope's peace proposal:— .The first two points of the Pomtifical appeal for peace, treating of disarmament 'and freedom of the seas, were suggested by President Wilson's Message to tho Senate,, consequently we aio inclined to beliove they will find the saino reception in America as when. President Wilson proclaimed them. The third and fourth points, ro mutual liquidation o£ war expenses and damages and mutual restitution of occupied territories irera formulated from public' speeohes by belligerent statesmen and resolutions passed by their respective Parliaments. Mere-, fore, the same statesmen &»nnot refute them now without contradicting themselves. Moreover, it is necessary. 1 to re-'-luark, as to liquidation of the damages caused by the war, that thore is an exception applying particularly to Belgium, The fifth and' sixth poir.ts concern special territorial questions about which the Pope could not propose a definite solution., consequently ho confine* himself to hoping they will le' examined in a conciliatory spirit. The' Popo wishes to emphasise that hiß appeal-was not suggested' by any belligerent. Finally, the Pope said nothing about democracy, because history teaohes that a form of government imposed by arms cannot live, and also because people having universal suffrage may choose any form tliey please. Furthermore, democracy will receive such an impulse from this" war that wisdom must' prevent it deteriorating into excessive forms; such: as anarchy.—Au6.-N.Z. Cable Assn.