THE POPE AND THE PEACE ISSUE

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 3, 28 September 1917, Page 5

THE POPE AND THE PEACE ISSUE

INSISTENCE ON BELGIAN FREEDOM AND RECONSTRUCTION MORE ABOUT THE GERMAN REPLY . Rome, September 26. According to reports from Vatican sources, the Pope insists that the restoration, finanoial reoonstitution, and absolute independence of Bolginm are essential to clear tho way to the conclusion of tlie war. He warns Germany that her indofiniteness as to the future of Belgium i; 3 a serious obstacle towards a just, Christian, and durablo poace, and makes a round-the-table conference an utter impossibility. The "Agenzia Nazionalo" states that the King of BaYaria has thanked the Pope for his Note, assuring him that the whole of the Gorman people aspires to peace. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. THE GERMAN ATTITUDE ON BELGIUM Berne, September 2fi. An official telegram from Berlin 6tates that von Kiihlmann (Foreign Minister) made a verbal communication to the Papal Nuncio at Munich, supplementing tho Note, and declaring that Germany was willing to rimke peaco on the basis of tho evacuation of Belgium, agreeing to its restoration and independence, and offering to contribute a share of compensation as war damages. Germany demands that there Uiall be no repetition of Belgium's menace of 1914. The administrative separation of the Flemings, and the Walloons must be maintained, because it corresponds with the wishes of the majority. Germany must be allowed to develop' economic enterprises in Belgium, especially in Antwerp. A semi-official explanation of the communication states that these conditions are compatible with tho dignity of Belgium. Germany has avoided mentioning the throne, -because it is a domestic matter. Germany will agree to any Government if Belgium accepts her- conditions.—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn. A "CONCERTED; SECRET" VATICAN ASICBD TO SOUND THE ALLIES. (Rec. September 1 27, 7.30 p.m.) Rome, September 20. The semi-official organ of the Vatican believes that a concerted secret exists regarding the conditions of peace on which Berlin would like the Holy See to sound the Allies' Chancelleries as soon as pos-sible.—Aus.-N.Z. . Cable Assn. MR. ASQUITH'S PEACE VIEWS ESSENTIAL PRINCIPLES. ' (Rec. September 27, 9 p.m.) London, September 27. Mr. Asqnith, speaking at "a war aims" meeting at Leeds, said, with emphasis, that with negligible exceptions, we had presented an unbroken front and un6hakeable resolve for three years. It did not require the repetition of the righteousness of our cause to sustain that .resolve, but. it was" useful to repeat it to others. "The peace for which wo are lighting cannot be found." ho said, "in a cessation of hostilities followed by territorial bargaining ultimately to be embodied in paper pacts and there left to the mercy of chance. Slill less can we look for a peace worthy of the name in any arrangement imposed by the victor on the vanquished 'which ignores the principles of. right and defies the historic traditions,\ aspirations, and liberties of tho peoples affected. Such ■ so-called treaties simply provide a- fertile breedingground for future wars. Take, for example, this trenty of 1871, to which single/act of international spoliation a large share of tho calamities which are now devastating the world can Jie traced.' Mr. Asquith added ,tliat tho Germans' reply to the Pope teemed with nebulous and unctions generalities. There was no indication that Germany would not repeat her crime of 1871 or take practical steps towards a lasting peace. Was she ready to restore Alsace and Belgium full independence without reservations, with as complete material . compensation • as was possible for the devastation of the country and the sufferings of the people? A definite reply to these inquiries could be given in a couple of sentences, and would be worth a whole column of pious platitudes.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. RUSSIAN COMMENT ON THE GERMAN REPLY Petrograd, September 20. Russian newspapers denounce the Kaiser's. reply to the Pope. They describe it as undeniably a consequence of the Kiusioa Revolution; for Germany is now silent about, copcessions which she would have' made at the beginning of the year. The only reply possible for the Entente is tho prosecution of the war, with Russia redoubling her efforts.—R«uter. A WARNING FROM BRITAIN AND FRANCE THE SEPARATE PEACE PLOT. (Rec. September 27, 7.30 p.m.) Petrograd, September 2G. At a plenary sitting of the Soviet's Central Committee, tho announcement was made that tho. Government had received from England and Prance a. categorical declaration that any German attempt to conclude a separate peace on Russia's account would be indignantly refused.. England and France consider that the idea should not bo given even passing consideration. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. OUTBURST BY VON TIRPITZ STILL SHAKING THE HAILED FIST. Amsterdam, September 26. Admiral von Tirpitz, addressing the German Patriotic Party in Berlin, which desires a peace based on wide annexations, .violently attacked England. Von Tirpitz announced. "Peace is already beckoning; England is already vanquished, thaukjs to the submarine." He said that von Moltke, shortly before his death, told liirn that he always felt .he had taken the side of Belgium in this war, but that justice and not injustice had beon dealt out to Belgium. Von Tirpitz proceeded: "Belgium lias never been neutral; Bho was always the bridgehead of England on the Continent. Now Germany, not England, must become the protecting Power. The enemy must pay Germany an adequate indemnity. Military victory is already ours; the political victory we can gain.wneu we so desire." ' . , .. . . , The meeting passed a resolution against tho Reichstag Majority's tyranny, and the feeble attitude of the Government; and against a peace of renunciation. The "Weisszeitung declared that the Government, at th(} Reichstag's behest, will hand Belgium to England.-Aus.-N.A. Cable Assn.