THE PAPAL NOTE.

Hokitika Guardian, 30 August 1917, Page 3

THE PAPAL NOTE.

AMERICA’S REPLY

MR. WILSON’S STATEMENT

NO TRUST IN GERMANY.

fAUSTRALIAN & N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION] WASHINGTON, Aug. 28. President Wilson’s reply to the Pope is as follows: “Every heart is touched by tho dignity and force of tho Pope’B moving appeal, hut response must he based on firm facts. The Popo does not desire a mere cessation of arms but a stable and enduring peace. Tho agony must not, be gone through again.” After summarising the Pope’s proposals, President Wilson continues:— “It is manifest that no part of the programme can he carried out'unless the restitution of the status quo fur»ishos a firm and satisfactory basis. Our object is to deliver the free peoples from tho menace of the actual power by * vest military establishment controlled by an irresponsible Government, which secretly planned to dominate the world. It tried to carry out the plan without regard to treaties or interna-

tional honour, Germany chose her own time, for the blow was struck fiercely and suddenly and stopped at no barrier, either of law or mercy, but swofit the Continent with a tide of bloou. • It iB not our business how the German people came under their ruthless master, but we must see that the rest of the world is not loft to the mercy of German Government. “We think that tho Pope’s plan would involve the recuperation of the German Government’s strength, which would necessitate a permanent combination of nations against Germany and would result in abandoning newborn Russia to intrigue.”

POSITION CLEARLY PUT. , AMERICAN AIMS. [Received this day at 12.30 a.m.) WASHINGTON, Aug. 29. President 'Wilson concluded—“ Can )eace be based on' -the restitution of Borman power or any word of honour pledged by Germany. P’eaco cannot rest o» political, economic restrictions lesigned to benefit some nations and embarrass others. The American people have suffered intolerable wrongs it the hands of Germany, but we do not desine reprisals against tho German people. Peace should rest on the rights of tho people not Government upon tho rights of all peoples freedom, security, Self-Government participation upon failterms of economic opportunity. “We include the German people if they accopt equality, 'and do not seefe dominiation. It is tho test of every peace plan, whether based on faith of the Pope or merely the work of ambitious intriguing Governments. United States aim is clearly stated. We believe the intolerable wrongs bj tho German Government ought to he repaired, but not at the expense of the sovereignty and people. Wo deem inexpedient, and in th<

end worse that futile: such proposals) as punitive damages dismemberment; of Empires, or establishment of selfish economic leagos. s We cannot tako the word of the present rulers of Germany, as a guarantee of anything, enduring, unloss explicitly supported by conclusive evidence of tho will and purpose of the German people. Without such guarantees, treaties agreements, and covenants for territor- . ial adjustments, if mad© by Germany could not be depended upon. We must await now evidence of the purpose of tho peoplos of the Central Empires. - God grant it may be given soon, i 1 MR. WILSON’S REPLY. (Received This Dav at 12.25. p.m.l ' OTTAWA, August 29. i The Canadian Press comment on president Wilson’9 reply to the Popo Is that Mr. Wilson had effectively ans- - wered his own “peace without victory”" Note.