PEACE TALK.

Taranaki Daily News, 21 August 1917, Page 5

PEACE TALK.

MASONS WORKING SECRETLY. AFTER VICTORY; NOT BEFORE." Received Aug. 20, 10 p.m. New York, Aug 20. , The Tribune publishes a cable from < Mr. Garvin, editor of the London Observer, stating that the Masons are ' working secretly for peace, the terms of whieh are agreed upon. Masonic delepates of the Entente Allies are ready to . launch a great peace effort to combat the Vatican and Stockholm effect. "We ■will negotiate after victory, not before," constitutes the message. INSPIRING THE POPE. AUSTRIAN EMPRESS' NEGOTIATIONS. , 'United Service. Received Aug. 20, 10 p.m. Rome, Aug. 20, The Giornalo d'ltalia states that the Austrian Empress, prior to the Papal note, actively corresponded with the Pope, imploring Mm to put forward prtfp'osaJs. Germany was aware of the preliminaries but took no direct part. The Pope intended to close the note with a proposal for a general armistice. Vienna considered this inopportune, as it would reweal the Central Powers' Weakness. THE PAPAL NOTE. > L .GERMAN COMMENTS. I ; Received Aug. 20, 6.5 p.m. ; London, Aug. 19. German papers generally are unfavor- . able to the Papa>l note, as being in- [ consonant with Germany's interests. The Tages Zeitung says the note simp- , l ly means Germany ruin. ■ 1 The Vossiche Zeitung says that Germany can readily scire the Belgian i 'question in conformity with the Pope's wishes, tout France must give up all , hopes of Alsace-IjorraJjie, aaid (peace must bring an equilibrium for all. The Ivoelnischo Zeitung says the pro- ( 'posed division of ace-Lorraine be- ■ jiween Prussia iind Kavaria has been ■ abandoned, and that a proclamation as - vto the creation of an autonomous con- ■ 'federate state is likely to be issued in a few weeks. NO SHORT CUTS TO PEACE. BQPEIS SILENCE RE GERMAN AlffiOGlTim (London, August 17. ' Lord Robert Oecil, Minister for Blockade, interviewed regarding the Pope's [ note, said the conviction was apparently . general that there was no j short cut to peace. While he was prepared to admit the Holy Father' was inspired by the highest and purest motives, he regretted the serious omission of not mentioning the German outrages in Belgium and tie submarine outrages. The iPope had acted in the . capacity of k judge summing up both/ides. Lord Robest Cecil said he would not say in the heat of conflict that both sides had not committed errors, but the Pope's silence as to Germany's policy of atrocities was the most notable. Replying to the suggestion that the good points in the Pope's note might „<mtweigh the others, Lord Robert Cecil t ssjd it was difficult to say what the future might bring forth. The Allied Go- ( vernments must consult each other before formulating a reply. It wa-s impossible to say whether President Wilson would be chosen as ■ the medium for the reply. Although President Wilson had already made proposals along the same altruistic lines America was now warring and would not act except in accordance with Allied policy. The Pope's note would have a good effect if it induced Germany, who was boasting about her victorious war map, to come i out and state definitely her aims. Howlever, Lord Robert Soeil opined that we would have to ivin before we could get peace. 'He did not know whether the Allied Governments actually intended to reply to the Pope, but no consultations had yet been held. NOTE CAPABLE OF EXTENSION CRITICISM ANSWERED. * Rome, August IT. The Correre D'ltalia, in a semi-official rejoiner to the criticisms of the Pope's Note, says the note is purposely couched in language leaving a margin for addi- . i tions and details It asserts, that the > reference to liberty of the seas is couch--1 ed in exactly President Wilson's words. .1 ' Though Serbia, Roumania and Russia are :I not mentioned, they come under the rei stitvtion principle. ' s The Vatican has been assured that Berlin, Vienna and Neutrals support the Pope's peace proposals. The Allies maintain an attitude of reserve. THE ENEMY AGREED. i BUT ARE AFRAID 0? ECONOMIC ; WAR. Amsterdam, August 17. The German and Austro-German leaders have reached an complete agreement. German newspapers are mainly concerned about protesting that the Pope has . overlooked the economic agreement f without which peace is impossible. - AMERICA AND TH'E POPE'S NOTE. ■, Washington, August IS. f A Cabinet meeting disoussed the Pope's Note, but no action was taken pending an exchange of opinions with the Allies. t ) .