The Wanganui Chronicle. "Nulla Dies Sine Linea." TUESDAY, DEC. 4th, 1917. THE PAPAL PEACE NOTE.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LX, Issue 17154, 4 December 1917, Page 4

The Wanganui Chronicle. "Nulla Dies Sine Linea." TUESDAY, DEC. 4th, 1917. THE PAPAL PEACE NOTE.

In the course of an editorial reference to the last Papal Peace Note, "United Empire" expresses the opinion that, although satisfied in his own mind that he heeds "neither the suggestions nor the interests of either of the belligerent parties," the Pope has shown by the wording of his appeal that he haH studied only the German point of view in regard to the war. In spite of the numerous statements of the Allies' war aims, His Holiness, says the writer, makes use of none of their phraseology, and ignores as completely the principles that are actuating them in the struggle. "If the document had been drafted in Berlin, it could hardly have betrayed more clearly the German atmospheri?. When the significance of America's participation in the war is recalled s»nd the striking language in which President Wilson lias given eloquent and forcible expression to the Allies' set purposes, it is only too obvious how closely the Pope has followed the promptings of those who suggested this subtle attempt to save Germany from tiie consequences of her crimes. The single phrase ' the freedom of the seas ' would have sufficed to reveal the origin of the appeal. Outside Germany the Avords aro meaningless. They were invented for the further bemusing of a much-duped people by conjuring up a confusion of thought between present war experiences and normal conditions. In the text of the Pope's message the phrase is particularly devoid of meaning 3 for the reference, is to peace conditions, and the seas are free in times of peace; it is taken over with the rest of the wording from Aiistro-Gernian .sources, and no attempt h made to explain it. Once again German diplomacy has shown how crudely it can carry out its work at times j but

it will be a matter of profound regret to all the Allied countries that the Pope should have lent himself to such an unneutnil act as to issue in his own name a, purely German peace proposal." The Note not only missed fire, so far as its obvious and primary purpose was concerned; but it also, apparently, occasioned grave displeasure among Catholics whose loyal allegiance is given to the Allies. It is noted by a London contemporary that the tension created among Italian Catholics by the Pope's peace suggestions was realised at the Vatican, with the result that " the clerical press has toned down in a marked fashion its hostile attitude towards those who do not approve of the Pope's Note. The "Corriere d'ltalia," a Catholic organ, says : " Italian Catholics cannot fcrget the duties of civil discipline.' iiui) lnoie siguiucaut is aoi aruAa wiiioii appealed iv tne "Stampa," Uie Oioiitt.an journal. This newspaper nas interviewed a leading prelate, who /uakes vie following statement: —

,^ "It js useless to conceal th© fact that Catholic narmony is now passing through a hard trial, lue contrast between the rope's Note and ALr. .Wilson's reply inignt serve to initiate a morui cUsi-oi'd. xiie Protestant Wilson has nunea a moral condemnation at the Uennan programme, wnile the UatnoiiL- Jtioiy ia*m has (assembled and mis Kept silent —uissemoled regarding tne mture oy piecing an the uonigeieiu& on tne same tooumg lor ihe uiaKuig of peace, and Kept silent regarding vie j^ast. Mr. Wiison has jjiven tne maximum condemnation to Ueraian war methods, but tne Vatican has not given even tho minimum. We Catuolics ask, Wliat voice has liept silent, and keeps silent, m the midst of tue unanimous execrution aroused by German violations of justice and humanity? And to give Germany a sensation of the aoyss which sue has opened for herself by beginning the war, and which grows more proiound as she makes necessary the continuation of the war, what voice is lacking? When Mr. Wilson, proposed peace a year and a half ago, no one had made revelations or furnished proof of Germany's war aims. Two new facts have aris-

en. The Entente has furnished America, Avith declarations and proofs which the American President has yielded; the Central I'Jnrpires have given America proof's which the President has condemned. Could the whole Christian world look on insensate at the contrast between the nonintervention of the Vatican and the moral and real intervention of America?

The "Stampa" states that the opinions expressed in the above interview will be the subject of a memorial to be presented to the Vatican.