AMERICAN REPLY TO THE POPE

Evening Post, Volume XCIV, Issue 52, 30 August 1917, Page 7

AMERICAN REPLY TO THE POPE

GERMAN PROMISES AND BONDS WORTHLESS

BASIS OF AN ENDURING PEACE

PUNITIVE PROVISIONS CONDEMNED

(B7 TELEOBAPH.—UNITED PEESS ASSOCIATION.—COPTBIGHT. )

(AUBTBALIAN-NEW ZEALAND CABLE ASSOCIATION.)

WASHINGTON, 28th August.

President Wilson's reply cays that every heart has been touched by the dignity and force of the Pope's moving appeal, but the response must be based on firm facts. The Pope does not desire a mere cessation of arms, but a stable and enduring peace. The agony must not be gone through again. After aummarising the Pope's proposals, President Wilson continues : "It is manifest that no part of the programme can be carried ont unless the restitution of the status quo will furnish a firm and satisfactory basis. Ouv object is to deliver the free peoples from the menace of the actual power of a vast military establishment, controlled by an irresponsible Government, which has secretly planned to dominate the world, and has tried to carry out that plan without regard to treaties or international honour. Germany chose her own time for war, and struck fiercely and suddenly. She stopped at no barrier, either of law or mercy, and swept the continent into a tide of blood. It is not our business how the German people came under the ruthless master, but we must see that the rest of the world is not left to the mercy of the German Government. We think the Pope's plan would involve the recuperation of the German Government's strength, which would necessitate a permanent combination of nations against Germany, and result in the abandoning of new-born Russia to intrigue. ' "Can peace be based on the restitution of the .power of Germany, or any ■word of honour pledged by Germany? Peace cannot rest on political and economic restrictions designed to benefit some nations and embarrass others. The American people have suffered intolerable wrongs at the hands of Germany, but we do not desire reprisals against the German people. Peace should rest on the righto of peoples, not of Governments; upon the rights of all peoples to freedom, security, self-government, and participation upon fair terms in economic opportunities. We will include the German people if they will accept equality. Not to seek domination is the test of every peace plan, whether based on the faith of Popes or merely on the word of ambitious, intriguing Governments. The aim of the United States is clearly stated. We believe that the intolerable wrongs by the German Government ought to be repaired, but not at the expense of the sovereignty of any people. We deem inexpedient, and in the end worse than futile, such proposals as punitive damages, the dismemberment of Empires, or the establishment of selfish, exclusive, economic leagues. We cannot take the word of the present rulers of Germany as a guarantee of anything enduring unless it is explicitly supported by the conclusivo evidence of the will and purpose of the German people. Without such guarantees, treaties, agreements, covenants, and territorial adjustments, if made by Germany, could not be depended upon. We must wait new evidence of the purpose of the peoples of the Central Empires. God grant it may be given soon '

(Received August 30, 11.30 a.m.) OTTAWA, 29th August.

The Canadian press, commenting on President Wilson's reply to the Pope, says : President Wilson has effectively answered his own "Peace Without Victory" Note. j 1