THE POPE'S PEACE NOTE

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3165, 17 August 1917, Page 5

THE POPE'S PEACE NOTE

TEXT OF THE PROPOSALS

SECOND FORMAL ATTEMPT TO END THE WAR

THE FOUNDATIONS OF AGREEMENT

(ltec. '.August 17, 1.5 a.m.)

London, August l(i The text of tho Papal Note which has been addressed to the heads of the belligerent peoples has been published. It is prefaced by the statement that it lias been His Holiness's aim since his accession to observo absolute neutrality ami concurrently do everything in his power to hasten the end of tho war. It states that lie has not ceased during these three painful years to exhort tho belligerent peoples and Governments to resume fraternal relationship, although everything that ho had done to attain that object had been without publicity. His Holiness refers to the unsuccessful result of tho previous Papal Peaco Note, sinou when tho war had become more cruel, extending over land and sui and even into tho air. Defenceless cities, quiet villages, innocent inhabitants, 'lave been stricken tvith desolation and death. The Note envisages the multiplied nnd aggravated sufferings which will ensue if the war continues—perhaps for years— and queries: "Must the world become n field of death, and Europe speed to the abyss of her own suicide?" Therefore, the sense of his supreme duty as the Father t-f tho Faithful, and also tho solicitations of bis children imploring his intervention, as well as tho voico of humanity and reason, impel him to renew his pressing appeal for peace, but in order not to confine himself longer to general terms, as he had done previously, he now submits more concrete and practical proposals. He invites the belligerent Governments to deliberate on the following points, which seem to form the basi3 of a fair and lasting peace:—

The primarily fundamental point ought to he the- substitution for the material force of arms the moral forces of right, from which would follow:— Au agreement for the simultaneous reciprocal reduction of armaments, according to tho rules and guarantees, to a degree only necessary for the maintenance of public order in each State. Then: The establishment of arbitration, providing for concerted notion and penalties against the State refusing to submit to international questions thereto! or to accept its decisious. The Note proceeds to express the view that onco the supremacy of right has thus been established, rules could be fixed assuring real liberty and freedom of tho seas, thus eliminating numerous causes of dispute, and opening to all new sources of prosperity and progress. His Holiness does not see any other means of solving the question of reparation and payment for war costs than complete mutual liquidation as a general principle, and refers in this connection to the immense benefits to be derived from disarmament. Besides, he points out, it is. incomprehensible that this carnage should continue, for economic reasons. Reciprocal Restitution. Peaceful agreements will be impossible without the reciprocal restitution of the occupied territories. Consequently, Germany should evacuate Belgium, guaranteeing her unhampered independence, and also tho Trench territory. The other group of belligerents would restore tho German colonies. In regard to tho territorial •questions, such as Italy, Austria, and Germany and France have expressed an opinion, the nations should conciliatorily examine the matter, takin? into consideration the people's aspirations' as far as possible, and subordinating special interest for the general good of human society. The same spirit of equity and justice should animato the examination of other territorial and political questions, particularly relating to Armenia and the Balkan States, and the territories comprising the old kingdom of Poland. The noble and historic traditions and long sufferings of the latter, especially in the present war, should arouse the nations' sympathies. The Note believes that the acceptance of the foregoing loading points would prevont a recurrence of quarrels, and prepare for a solution of the economic question. It concludes with an earnest and prayerful ippeal to the nations to turn a favourable ear to the communica. tion.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Eeutcr.