THE POPE'S PEACE NOTE

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3187, 11 September 1917, Page 5

THE POPE'S PEACE NOTE

BRITAIN ENDORSES AMERICA'S REPLY GERMANS SEEKING TO WIN OVER AMERICA RUMOURED STATEMENT OF GERMAN TERMS Washington, September 9. Great Britain has informed the United States that President Wilson's i-eply to tho Pope is in effect Great Britain's reply—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. [President Wilson's, reply to the Pope's Peace Note stated, inter alia:—"lt is manifest that no part of tho programme can be carried out unless tho restitution of the status quo will furnish a firm and satisfactory basi6. Our object is to deliver tho free,peoples from the menace of the actual power of a vast military establishment, controlled by an irresponsible Government,' which has secretly planned to dominate the world and tried-to carry out that plan without reSard to" treaties'or international honour. Germany chose her own time for war, and struck fiercely and suddenly. She stopped at no barrier, cither cf law or mercy, and swept a continent into a tide of blood. It is not our business how the Gorman people came under their Tuthloss master, but we must see that the rest of the world is not left to the mercy of the German Government. Wo think the Pope's plan would -involve the recuperation of the German Government's strength, which would necessitate a permanent combination of nations against Germany, and" result in the abandoning of a new-born Russia to intrigue. Can peace be based on the restitution of the German power or any word of honour pledged by Germany? Peace cannot rest on political and economic restrictions designed to benefit 6ome nations and embarrass others. The American people have suffered intolerable wrpngs at 'the hands of Germany, but we do not desire a reprisal against the German people. Peace'should rest on the Tights of peoples, not of Governments; upon the rights of all peoples, their freedom, security, self-govarnment, and participation upon fair terms in economic opportunities. We include the German people, if they accept equality. Not to seek domination is tho test of every peace plan, whether based on the faith of Popes or merely the word of ambitious, intriguing Governments. The United States aim is clearly stated. Wo believo that the intolerable wrongs by the German Government ought to be repaired, but not at tho expense of the sovereignty of any people. We deem inexpedient, and in the end worse than futile, such proposals as punitive damages, the dismemberment of empires, or the establishment of selfish, exclusive, economic leagues./ We cannot take tho word of the present "rulers of Germany as a guarantee of anything enduring unless explicitly supported by tho conclusive ovidence of the will and purpose of the German people. Without such guarantees, treaties, agreements, covenants, ■ and territorial adjustments, if made by Germany, could' not ha depended upon. We must await new evidence of the purpose of the peoples of the Central Empires."] x ' REICHSTAG CENTRE PARTY FAVOURS \'. CONSIDERATION Amsterdam, September 9. The Reichstag Centre Party advocates consideration of President WiH-on's reply to the Pope's Peace Note, and urges that efforts should be made to reach an understanding with America, whose war aims may he acceptable where they differ from those of the Entente.—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn.

GERMANY'S PEACE TERMS A SENSATIONAL DECLARATION. Copenhagen, September 9. A great sensation has been caused in Germany by the declaration of Dr. Ifichaelis (imperial Chancellor), in the .course of an interview .in the "Stuttgart Tageblatt," that Germany will' shortly be able to publish her peace terms — Aus.-N.Z. Cable .Assn.

NEW "PATRIOTIC" PARTY IN GERMANY (Keo. September 10. 7 p.m.). Amsterdam, September 9. A new patriotic party, being formed in Gormany, declares itself hostile to the Reichstag peace resolution, and urges (iormans not to desire a peaco instigated by weak nerves. The party will not run Reichstag candidates. It 'will dissolve the day peace is declared. Von Tirpitz and Duke John of Mecklenburg are presidents of the party—Aus.-N.ft. Cable Assn. ■ :

AUSTRIA'S; PEACE FEELERS HINT OF A SEPARATE BACK-DOWN. (Rec. September 10, 7.15 p.m.) Amsterdam, September 9. ' The Vienna correspondent of the "Hamburger Nachrichten denounces the renewed activities of an influential circle in Austria-Hungary, which is working for_ u speedy termination of the war. ■ The "Reichs Post" declares that since the beginning of August Austria has been, exerting the strongest pressure to induce Germany towards peace. She has been sending feelers in other directions, especially to London. The article concludes: "If Germany fails to yield to Austrian pressure it is very possible that an agreement may shortly be reached with Downin" Street without Germany."—Renter.