Jasper County Democrat, Volume 20, Number 45, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 1 September 1917 — POPE'S PROPOSAL FOR PEACE [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

POPE'S PROPOSAL FOR PEACE

“To the leaders of the belligerent peoples: “From the beginning of our Pontificate. in the midst of the horrors of the awfu 1 war let loose on Europe, we have had of all things three in mind: to maintain perfect' impartiality toward all the belligerents as becomes him who is the common father and loves all his children with equal affection, continually to endeavor to do them all as much good as possible, without exception of person, without distinction of nationality or religion, as is dictated to us by the universal law of charity as well as by the supreme spiritual charge with which we have been instructed by Christ; finally, as also required by our mission of peace, to omit nothing, as far as it lay in our power, that could contribute to hasten the end of this calamity by trying to lead peo<ple and their leaders to more moderate resolution to hasten a serene deliberation of a peace just and durable. “Who ever has followed our work during those three painful years which have just passed has been able easily to recognize that if we had always remained faithful to our resolve of absolute impartiality and to our attitude of benevolence we have not ceased to exhort the peoples and the belligerent brothers again to become brethren, although publicity has not been given to all that we have done to attain this very noble aim. “Toward the end of the first year of the war we addressed to the nations in conflict most lively exhortations and more we indicated the part to be followed to arrive at a stable and honorable peace for all. Unfortunately, our appeal was not heard and the war continued desperately for another two years with all its horrors. It became even more cruel and extended over the earth, over the sea and in the air, and one saw desolation and death descend upon the cities without defense, upon peaceful villages and on their innocent population.

and now no one can imagine how the sufferings of all would be increased and aggravated if other ■months or, worse still, other yeans, are about to be added to this sanguinary triennium. “Is this civilized world to be nothing more than a field of death? And Europe, so glorious and c c flourishing, is it going, as if stricken bv an universal madness, to run to the abyss and to lend its hand to its own suicide? “In such a terrible situation and in the presence of a menace so serious who have no particular political aim, who do not listen to suggestions or to the interests of any of the belligerent parties, but are solely compelled bv a sentiment of our supreme duty as the common father of the faithful. by the solicitation of our children who implore our intervention and our paci f ving words. “Through the voice even of humanity and of reason. we once more emit the cry of peace and we renew ,a pressing appeal to those who hold in their hands the destinies of nations. But in order no longer to speak in general terms as the circumstances had counselled us in the past we now wish to make more concrete and practical proposals and to invite the governments of the belligerent peonies to an agreement on the following points which seem to be a basis of a just and durable peace, leaving to them the task of analyzing and completing them. - “First of all the fundamental points must be that the material force of arms be substituted hr moral force of right from which shall arise a fair agreement by all the simultaneous and reciprocal diminution of armaments according to the rules and guarantees to be

established, in a measure necessary and sufficient for the maintenance of publie order in each state. Then in the substitution for armies the institution of arbitration with its high pacifying function, according to the rules to be laid down and the penalties to be t imposed on a state which would refuse either to submit a national question to arbit ration or tp accept its decision. “Once the supremacy of right has thus been established all obstacles to the means of communication of the peoples would disappear by assuring. by rules to be fixed later. the true liberty and community of the ?eas which would remove the 1 numerous causes of conflict and would also open to all new sources Of prosperity and progress. “As to the damages to be re- • paired and to the war expenses wesee no other means of solving the, question than by submitting as a 1 general principle the complete and. reciprocal condonation which would i be justified, moreover, by th? immense benefit to be derived from I disarmament so much so that no one will understand the continua-' tion of a similar carnage solely for reasons of an economic order. “If for certain cases there exist particular reasons they would be deliberated i<pon with justice and equity, but these pacific agreements with the immense advantages to be derived from them are not possible without a reciprocal restitut/on Of the territory at present occupied. “Consequently on the part of Germany the complete evacuation of Belgium with the guarantee of her full political, military and economic independence towards it. ■ The evacuation of French territory. On the part of other belligerent . parties similar restitution of , the German colonies. “As regards the territorial quesI tions. as for example, those which have arisen between Italy and Austria and between’ Germany and France, there is reason to hope that in consideration of the immense advantages of a durable

peace with disarmament, the parties I in conflict • would wish to examine ' them with a conciliatory disposi- i tion. taking into consideration, as we have said formerly, the aspirations of the peoples and the special interests and general' welfare of the ' great human society. | “The same spirit or equity and ' justice ought tp be followed in the examination of other territorial and political questions, notably those relative to Armenia and the Balkan .states /and . territories, 7’making a part of .the ancient kingdom o' Poland, whose Q oble and historical traditions and sufferings, which it has endured especially during the present war, ought to conciliate the sympathies of nations. ■Such are the principal bases whereon we believe the future reorganization of the peoples ought, to be built. They are of a nature to render impossible the return of similar conflicts and to prepare a solution for' the economic questionso important for the future and the well being of all belligerent states. "Therefore, in presenting to yon, whb direct at this hour the destinies of the belligerent nations, we are animated to see them accepted and to see thus the conclusion at an early date Qf the terrible struggle. which more and more appears a useless massacre. “The whole world recognizes that the honor of the armies of both sides; is safe. Incline your ears, therefore, to our prayer. Accept the fraternal invitation which we send you in the name of the Divine Reedemer, the Prince of Peace. Refleet on your very grave responsbility before God and before man. . ; yfj “On your decision depend the repose and the joy of innumerable families, the life of thousands of

young people, in a word, the happiness of a people for whom it is your absolute duty to obtain their welfare. “May the Lord inspire your decision in conformity to His very holy will. May God grant that while meriting the applause of your contemporaries, you will also obtain in the future generations a splendid name of pacificators. “As for us closely united in prayer and in penitence with all those faithful souls which sigh for peace, we implore for you the light and counsel of the divine spirit. “BENEDICT.” z “At the Vatican, August Ist.”