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Show VAIN HOPES. Kecent attempts by the Germans and Austrians to bring about peace through the instrumentality of the Freemasons of the United States and the entente countries are bitterly resented .in America and elsewhere. In order to remove all doubt and uncertainty, the following resolution has becu adopted bv the supreme council of Scottish Kite Masons, southern jurisdiction: "German "Ger-man terms of peace shall never be con- j si.lered bv Masons, because it is an inconclusive in-conclusive peace. Only terms of peace insuring a lasting peace, sueh as the American proposals-, shall be given consideration. con-sideration. ; 7 The American Masons recall the fact that in the early days of the war, one. j of the leading graud lodge jurisdictions of Masonry in the United States wrote a letter to the leading grand masters of Germany proposing a reciprocal arrangement ar-rangement whereby British and French Masonic prisoners of war be recognized as Masons, and that German Masonic prisoners be similarly recognized by the British and French. It was not intended intend-ed that the Masonic prisoners should be given favors not accorded to ordinary ordi-nary prisoners, for that would not have been just. Instead, they were to receive re-ceive simply a smile or pat on the shoulder, to signify that fraternity can still survive even in the stress of war. The German grand master replied: "Xo, they are enemies, and Masonry in Germany means nothing in war." It is also recalled -that when the grand master of the Grand Orient of Belgium appealed to the German Masons, Ma-sons, proposing common action with a view to a more humane conduct of the war, the German reply was: "Any appeal for humanity addressed to our political leaders, to our generals and to our soldiers, is unnecessary. They are Germans, and Germans, even in the hardest fight, remain humane. Why should we insult our German brethren breth-ren now in ihe field by an appeal such as you suggest, showing them doubts have been entertained as to their humane hu-mane conduct ? We will never lend ourselves our-selves to anything of the kind. We have absolute confidence in our army, and I am convinced they are conducting humanely the war which has been forced upon us by a conspiracy." Xow, when the Hun soldiers in the field are crying "Kamerad," tbe German Ger-man Masons are preparing to fall upon the necks of the brethren throughout the world, more es: ecially those who live in the United States and England, in the hope that they may escape the avenging rod of civilization. Such hopes are in vain. |