Notes on Discussion with Pope

Title

Notes on Discussion with Pope

Creator

Wilson, Woodrow, 1856-1924

Identifier

WWP21889

Date

1917 August 27

Description

Woodrow Wilson notes in reference to the Pope's peace plan that no peace can rest securely upon vindictive action towards any people or upon political or economic discriminations meant to benefit some and cripple or embarrass others, but only on equal rights of freedom.

Source

Library of Congress, Woodrow Wilson Papers, 1786-1957

Text

Woodrow Wilson's notes, written on his own typewriter, in regard to the Pope's peace proposal, and a reply thereto; also shorthand notes for text of reply.

The Pope's message was dated Aug. 1, 1917; was forwarded by WH Page on Aug. 15 and received in Washington Aug. 16, 1917. On Aug. 23rd Wilson sent House "the first draft of a reply"

[Final reply was sent on Aug. 27, 1917.]

_________________
PAPAL PLAN.
Status quo ante bellum
___ PLUS
___Condonation, disarmament, general arbitration.

Freedom of the seasFrench territorial claimsItalian territorial claimsBalkan questionsReconstitution of Poland

_________________
Appreciation of motives which prompted the appeal.

It may be taken for granted that he is equally solicitous that the foundations should be laid for permanent peace and that the peace proposed should not be a mere temporary cessation of armsCan be discussed only in view of causes and objects (These to be carefully stated).

The objects may be summed up in one: to deliver the free countries of the world from the menace of a vast military establishment controlled by an irresponsible government which acknowledges no obligation or restriction either of treaty or of international practice and long established principle,which in this terrible war has brushed aside every consideration of humanity even. It is none of our business how the German people got under the control of such a government or were kept under the domination of its power and its purposes, but it is our business to see to it that the history of the world is no longer left to their handling.

To deal with such a power by way of peace would involve a) a recuperation of its power and renewal of its policy, b) a permanent hostile combination against the German people, whereas, in different circumstances the other nations of the world would wish to deprive them of nothing that the rest of the peoples of the world enjoyed, and c) an abandonment of Russia to intrigue, interference, and counter revolution through the subtle and malign influences which such a power is now known industriously to build up.

Responsible statesmen now everywhere, I believe, that no peace can rest securely upon vindictive action towards any people or upon political or economic discriminations meant to benefit some and cripple or embarrass others. It can rest only upon the equal rights of peoples, great and small, upon freedom and security and an equal participation by all in the economic opportunities of the world,the German people with the rest, if the German people will accept equality and not seek domination.

Files

http://resources.presidentwilson.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/WWI0655.pdf

Collection

Citation

Wilson, Woodrow, 1856-1924, “Notes on Discussion with Pope,” 1917 August 27, WWP21889, World War I Letters, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum, Staunton, Virginia.