POPE'S PEACE NOTE

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3169, 21 August 1917, Page 5

POPE'S PEACE NOTE

FURTHER CRITICISM COUNTER-MOVE BY THE FREEMASONS (Rec. August 20, 10.10 p.m.) n-r «v a- r ,6 , , !? . York ' Al| s ust "• Iho Aew lork Tribune" publishes a cablegram from Mr. Garvin, editor of tho "Observer," stating that the Freemasons have been working secretly on peace terms, agreed upon by llasonic delegates from the Entente Allies, and they are ready to launch a great peace erfort to combat the cffects'of tho Vatican and Stockholm moves. "We will negotiate after victory, not before," they say.— Keutcr. AUSTRIAN EMPRESS AND THE PEACE NOTE (Km. August 20, 30.10 p.m.) Rome, August 20. The "Giornale d'ltnlia" slates that the Austrian Empress, prior to the Papal Note, actively corresponded with tho Pope imploring, him to initiate peace proposals.. Germany was awaro of theso preliminaries, but took uo direct part. The Pope intended to close the Note with a proposal tor a general armistice, but Vienna considered that this would bo inopportune, as it would reeval the weakness of the Central Powers.—United Service. GERMAN PRESS UNFAVOURABLE, (Rec. August 20, 5.5 p.m.) Amsterdam, August 19. Tho German papers generally are not favourable to the Papal Note, as it is not consonant with Germany's interests. Tho "Tages Zeitung" says: "Tho Note simply means Germany's ruin." Tho "Vossische Zeitung" remarks-that Germany was ready to solve the Belgian question in conformity witU the Popu's wishes, but France must give up all hopes of Alsace-Lorraine. Peace must bring equilibrium for all. The "Kolnische Vqlke Zeitung" declares that tho proposed division of Alsace-Lor-raine between Prussia and Bavaria has been abandoned.' A proclamation defining these provinces as an autonomous confederate State will likely bo issued in a few weeks.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.