THE WEEK IN REVIEW

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THE PRESIDENT'S REPLY. President Wilson's reply to the Pope's peace proposals is a courteous but firm refusal to accept the suggestions which, the President by recognizes, prompted humane and generous motives. The President, very wisely, does not enter upon any detailed consideration of the Pope's program; he bases his refusal on the simple but sufficient reason that the German

Government cannot be trusted to

keep any promises which it might make. We cannot take the word of the present rulers of Germany," the President says, "as a guarantee of anything that is to endure, unless explicitly supported by such conclusive evidence of the will and the German people purpose of themselves as the other peoples of the world would be justified in accepting. Without such guarantees, treaties of settlement, agreements for disarmament, covenants to set

up arbitration in the place of force, territorial readjustments, reconstitutions of small nations, if made with the German Government, no man, no nation could now depend

on."

A POWERFUL INDICTMENT.

The paragraph in the President's reply which is likely to endure as of the most powerful indictment one government by the head of another in modern times is that in which the President defines the and object of the war, in cause these words: "The object of this war is to deliver the free peoples of the world from the menace and the actual power of a vast military establishment controlled by an irresponsible government, which, having secretly planned to dominate the world, proceeded to carry the plan out without regard either to the sacred obligations of treaty or the long-established practices and long-cherished principles of international action and honor; which chose its own time for the war; delivered its blow fiercely and suddenly; stopped at no barrier, either of law or of mercy; swept a whole continent within the tide of bloodnot the blood of soldiers only, but the blood of innocent women and children also and of the helpless poor-and now stands balked but not defeated, the enemy of fourfifths of the world."

THE WAR TAX BILL. The first of September finds the War Tax Bill still incomplete and the subject of hot controversy. The Senate has spent weeks deliberating over its details, striking out this item and inserting that, cutting down one rate and increasing another. It is recognized in all quarters that huge a sum must be raised, but the question is, How? There are sharp differences beand the tween the more radical more conservative Senators; and, different individuals as between and interests, a prevailing willingness to "let George do it." When the bill emerges from the Senate, in a more or less trimmed and battered shane, there remains the task of adjusting the differences be

tween the House and the Senate. And so the war will enter upon its sixth month, with the financial provisions for carrying it on still undetermined.

HAS ENOUGH ENEMIES.

The concessions which Germany has made to Argentina indicate that she feels that she already has enough enemies, and does not wish to add another owerful neutral to them. The claims originally made by Argentina for disavowal and compensation for the sinking of the Argentine steamer Toro by a German submarine were given the same scant consideration as similar claims from other neutral governments; and when a second note was sent, Germany would agree to no settlement except on the conditions that the Argentine government prevent its vessels from traversing the blockade. Now Germany reverses its action; promises indemnity for the sinking of the Toro; and, what is more important, agrees to respect the Argentine flag upon the seas, and announces that it has given instructions accordingly to its naval forces. This is the first sign of yielding in the unrestricted submarine warfare proclaimed last February, which was the direct means of forcing the United States into the war.

ITALY'S VICTORIES.

The Italian troops are sweeping forward toward their goal with a strength which seems irresistible. The Hermada, the chief fortress which bars the way to Trieste, has been shelled by monster guns carried by a combined Italian and British fleet. On the Bainsizza plateau, north of Gorizia, fierce fighting between the Italians and Austrians continues, the Austrians falling back before the Italian ad

vance. Austrian official despatches admit that the Italians have gained possession of the dominating height of Monte Santo, which gives them a great advantage. Austrian attempts to re-take positions on the Carso plateau have failed. The Twelfth Austrian division was annihilated; and the Twenty-third Austrian Army Corps alone lost 4,433 prisoners.

Reports that the civilian population of Trieste is leaving in all haste foreshadow the occupation of that city.

COTTON BARRED TO NEU-
TRALS.

The President has issued a sweeping proclamation, extending and strengthening the embargo upon exports. One list, which applies to Germany and her allies and to the neutral countries of Europe, brings under control practically all articles of commerce; and a second to all countries, list, applicable makes additions to the list of commodities controlled by the proThe purpose, clamation of July 9. in both lists, is first to safeguard own domestic needs, meet the necessities of all of our Allies and then to minister to the needs of neutral nations, so far as

Our

our resouces

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will permit, taking care that the liberation of our surplus "roducts shall not benefit the enemy, directly or indirectly. The most notable additions to the list under of commodities put control

The Belgian government has addressed an earnest protest to the allied and neutral governments against German violations of international and moral law in the redistricting of Belgium, so that it will have two governments and two capitals,-the Flemish section with Brussels for its capital and the Walloon section, with Namur for its capital. The Germans are deporting into Germany all Belgian officials who refuse to recognize this splitting up of the kingdom. These German decrees overturn Belgian law and attack the Belgian constitution, and they are in violation of the Hague agreement, under which an occupying Power must, so far as possible, govern occupied territory in conformity with the territory's own law. The Belgian officials who have resigned, and have been punished for so doing by being carried off to Germany. accepted their official duties under the express stipulation that Germany would observe the provisions of the Hague conventions. But these are now being treated as "scraps of paper."

AN UNTIMELY BAN.

It is, perhaps, not surprising that the convention of the Veterans of the Foreign Wars of the United States, in session at New York, should express resentment over the report that Bisho" David H. Greer of the Episcopal diocese of New York had forbidden the playing of "The Star Spaled Banner" at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine, on the ground that it created an enthusiasm for war, which he did not like. No sane person feels any enthusiasm for war, in itself, but when war is forced upon a country in defence of democracy and humanity, and the highest ideals are at stake, the anneal to patriotism should not fall upon deaf ears. Even the extreme pacifists are destined to hear "The Star Spangled Banner" a good many times and in a good many places during the next months, and they should reconcile themselves to it.

Records by Chorus of 2,500

Particular interest attaches to the two new Victor records by the Billy Sunday Chorus of 2,500 voices which has done such wonderful musical work at the New York Tabernacle because it is the first time that any such number of voices has been recorded. The singing of "America" by this chorus is a very impressive performance and the other number, "Sail On," is also beautifully rendered. A record which has "The Star Spangled Banner" by Elizabeth Spencer, and also contains the "Marseillaise" sung by Edward Hamilton, may be said to be a musical symbol of our union with France, and these singers faithfully interpret the special beauty of these selections.