THE PAPAL NOTE

Evening Post, Volume XCIV, Issue 48, 20 August 1917, Page 7

THE PAPAL NOTE

A REGRETTABLE OMISSION

ALLIES HAVE NOT DECIDED TO

REPLY.

LONDON, 17th. August.

Lord Robert Cecil (Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs), interviewed regarding the Pope's Peace Note, said that the conviction was apparently becoming general that there was no short cut towards peace. While he was prepared to admit that the Holy Father was inspired by the highest and purest motives, there was a regrettable and serious omission— there was no mentioning of German outrages in Belgium and the submarine piracies. The Pope hacl acted in the capacity of a. judge who was summing up both sides of the argument. He would not say that in the heat of the conflict both sides had not committed ereors, but the Pope's silence on the subject of Germany's policy of atrocities was most notable.

Eeplying to a suggestion that the good points in the Pope's Note might outweigh the others. Lord Robert Cecil said : "It is difficult to say what the future may bring forth. The Allied Governments must consult together before formulating a reply. It is impossible to say whether President Wilson will be chosen as the medium for issuing a reply, although President Wilson has already mAde proposals on the same altruistic lines. But America is now at war, and could not act except in accordance with Allied policy. The Pope's Note would have a. good effect if it induced Germany, who is boasting about her victorious war man-, to come out and definitely state her aims. However, it is my opinion that wo will have to win before we get peace." He did not know whether the Allied Governments actually intended to reply to the Pope. No consultations had yet been held.