THE PEACE NOTE

Evening Post, Volume XCIV, Issue 49, 27 August 1917, Page 7

THE PEACE NOTE

CARDINAL GASPARRFS STATEMENT

SOME OF THE POINTS EXPLAINED.

NEW YORK, 24th August.

Cardinal Gasporri has given, out the following amplifying 1 statement on tho Pope's peace, proposal:— "The first two points of 'the Pontifical appeal for peace, treating of disarmament- and freedom- of the seas, wore suggested by President Wilson's Message to the Senate, consequently we are inclined to believe they will find tJi© same reception in .America as when President Wilson proclaimed them. The third and fourth points, relating ito the mutual liquidation of war expenses and damages, and the mutual restitution of occupied territories, were formulated from public speeches Toy belligerent statesmen and resolutions passed by their respective Parliaments. Therefore, the same statesmen cannot refute them now without contradicting themselves. Moreover, it. is necessary to remark, as to liquidation of the damages caused by the war, -that there is an exception which applies pat ■ ticularly to Belgium. The fifth and sixth points concern special territorial questions about, -which the Pope could not propose a definite solution, consequently he confines himself to hoping they will be examined in a conciliatory spirit. Tho Pope wishes to emphasise that his appeal was not suggested by any bolligeront. Finally, the Pope said nothing abouit democracy, because history teaches that a form of government imposed by arms cannot live, and also because people having universal suffrage may choose any form they please. Furthermore, democracy will receive such an impulse from this war that wisdom must prevent it deteriorating into eicossive forms, such as anarchy.

[A message from New York on Saturday stated that Cardinal Gasparri's statement, particularly the suggestion that Belgium should be compensated, created a more favourable impression at the State Department than the original plea, and the belief is expressed that peace may depend on Ithe Pope's ability to secure Germany's consent to reparation.]