WILSON'S ANSWER

Evening Star, Issue 16516, 30 August 1917, Page 3

WILSON'S ANSWER

.TO POPE’S MEDIATION. PRUSSIANIfciM MUST GO. GUARANTEES WORTHLESS WITH PRESENT GERMAN RULERS. NEW'I'ORK, August 28. President Wusun’s ropiy rejects the Pope s proposals, on me grouiui mat Liicj involve ueriiianys recuperation. Ha points out tuat it is impossium to rely ou me UeiTuan Government s guarantees. WAK UUi\ LrlUlN , August 28. President Wilsons reply says: " Avery heart is toucheu by tne uigmty and lores oi me X**ope s moving appeal, out tfic response must be oasea ou nxni lacts. Tne rope uoes not desire the mere cessation oi a nils, out a siaole ana enaunng j,eaee. ■tne agony must not be gone tmougfi again.

Alter summarising the Pope's proposals, President Wilson continues: “It is manliest taut no part ot me programme can bo carried out unless tne restitution to tne status quo furmsnes a firm and satislactory oasis. uur ouject is to deliver and tree tne peoples from the menace of tne actual power oi a vast military estabUsnrnent controlled by an irrespousioie Government who secretly planned to dominate tne world, ana tried to carry out that plan without’ regard to treaties or international honor, uermany cnose her own time lor war, and struck liercely and suddenly. She stopped at no barrier, either of law or mercy, but steeped a continent in a tide of blood. “It is, not our business how the German people came under their ruthless master, bub we must see that the rest of the world is not left lo the mercy of the German. Government. We think the Pope s plan would involve the recuperation of tho German Government’s strength, which would necessitate permanent combinations against Germany, and result in abandoning the new-born Russia to her intrigue. . “ 9 an peace be based on. the restitution German power or. any word of honor PiXgcd by ■ Germany ? Peace cannot rest on pXitical or economic restrictions designed benefit some nations and embarrass others. The American people have suffered intolerable wrongs at the hands of Germany, but wo da not desiro reprisals against the German people. Peace should rest on the rights of tho people—not. with governments. The rights of all peoples are freedom, security, self-government, and participation upon fair terms in economic opportunities. We shall include the German people if they will accept equality and. not seek domination. That is the test of every peace plan, whether it is based OU the faith of tho Popes or merely on the word of ambitious and intriguing governments. “ The aim of the United States is clearly stated. We believe that the intolerable wrongs wrought 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 punitivedamages, 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 for anything enduring, unless it is explicitly supported by 'conclusive evidence of the will and purpose of tho German people. Without such guarantees treaties, agreements, covenants, and territorial adjustments, if made by Germany, could not bo depended upon. We must await new evidence of the purpose of the peoples of the O.fintral Empires. God grant that it may be given soon.”