New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-09-03
GIBBONS GIVES
POPE'S PEACE
PLAN TO WILSON
President Is Asked to Aid
i'm Move to End Euro
pean War.
CARDINAL PLEASED
BY ARABIC OUTCOME
Thinks Ending of Controversy
Brings Finish of Conflict Nearer
-Congratulates Executive.
From N. rdbun. Bureau ]

From The Tribune Buresul
Washington. Sept. 2. Asserting that
the time for peace was never more op-
perfume than now, Cardinal Gibbons
presented to President Wilson to-day
a communication from Pope Benedict
proposing that the President become
factor in the movement to bring about
peace in Europe The Cardinal declined
10 tell what was in the communication.
but reports soon spread that a peace
movement was once more under way.
President Wilson. of course, shared
with the Cardinal the desire for a ces-
sation of hostilities in Europe, but il
he contemplated any move in that di-
rection he kept it to himself From the
beginning of the war the President
has earnestly desired to bring the con-
fict to close, but he has carefully re-
Trained from making any further pro-
posals than those he communicated to
the belligerent governments year ago.
The Cardinal was a picturesque fig
ure as he walked into the White House.
Erect as West Point cadet, he showed
little trace of the eighty-odd years that
he carried His silk hat removed. there
remained the little scarlet cap OF a
cardinal
Cardinal Pleased with Visit.
The Cardinal was greatly pleased
with his visit to the President, to whom,
he said. he had rendered hearty con-
gratulations on his success in the dip
lomatic controversy with Germany. He
said it was true that the Pope had
given him a message to President Will
son. and that he had delivered IT, but
he said he could not discuss it for pub
lication. 1t may be made public later.
"Our talk was highly satisfactory,
and | am very much pleased with my
reception by the President" he con-
tinued. 1--WE went over the entire sit
uation. but | cannot reveal the details
of our conversation at this time. Prob
ably more will be made public in the
near future"
Cardinal Gibbons said that the set
tlement of the questions at issue be-
tween the United States and Germany
has brought the possibility of peace
very much nearer.
"l expressed 10 the President most
decidedly my great gratitcatlon at the
advantageous conclusion of the discus
sions with Germany" he said.
Following his conference with the
President Cardinal Gibbons called on
Secretary Lansing and for nearly
half hour discussed the probabilities
OF bringing about peace in Europe. he
also discussed in a general way the
situation in Mexico. Secretary Lam
sing was non-communicative as TO the
visit of Cardinal Gibbons. He merely
admitted that the peace situation
had been discussed in general way.
Not Sent to Other Neutrals.
At the White House sll comments
on the visit Of Cardinal Gibbons were
lofused. The President sent word
that he could not discuss II IN any
way. Later il became known that the
communication which Cardinal Glib
hons had conveyed TO President Will
son had been given 10 him alone and
had not been sent by the Pope to any
ether neutral nation.
Accompanied by Monsignor William
r. Russell, formerly rector OF the Bal
timore Cathedral and who as such lived
in the Cardinals residence. the Car
airal arrived at the White House az
. o'clock, an appointment having been
made by Monsignor Russell yester-
day.
IL was said tonight that il any move
toward restoring peace In Europe is
made by the President it will only be
after tn. initiative has come from the
other aide. One of the belligerents.
IL was declared, will have TO indicate
or at least hint to the representatives
of this country that It would be pleas
ing for the President OF the United
States 10 act as peacemaker.
IL was pointed out that the Presi-
dents willingness to serve the Euro
pean nations as mediator had been
plainly called TO the attention of all
of them during the early months of the
war, when the President had the bel
ligerent nations sounded on the ques-
tion Of peace. though without success.
They know the President will act when
ever the warning nations desire his SER
vices.
Little hope Of immediate peace in
Europe vas held out by the few diplO
mats who were here tonight. II was
pointed out that no big decisive vic
tory was won by either side, and that
until this happened the time 10 talk
neace would not he nropitiou ous