The Logan Republican. [volume] (Logan, Utah) 1902-1924, 1915-06-24
Pope Benedict
Talks on War
Quoted by Partisan as Refusing
Hastily to Condemn Specific
Acts

PARIS, June 2l.-La Liberte pub
fishes today an interview with Pope
Benedict. signed by Louis Latapie,
prominent member of the stan who
was sent to Rome for the purpose OF
ascertain ng. the popes view on the
various aspects of the European war
Pope Benedict is quoted as express
ing horror at some of the develop
ments of the war. but in the main his
words have to do with peace.
NJ. Latapie quotes the pope as say
ing:
you desire that | should condemn
every crime specifically, but each one
of your accusations Is accompanied
by reply on the part Of the Ger
mans, and am not able to institute
here a continuous discussion nor can
| make Investigations at this mo-
ment."
"Is 1t unnecessary to inquire as to
whether the neutrality of Belgium has
been violated asked the correspon.
dent.
THAT was under the pontificate Of
Plus X" the pope replied.
rs 1t not known by all that many
priests have been taken as hostages
in Belgium and in France and shot?"
The pope replied:
Il have received from Austrian
bishops the assurance that the Rus
sian army also has taken hostages
from among the Catholic priests and
that the Russians on one occasion
pushed before them 1900 Jews so that
they could advance behind this living
barrier thus exposed to the bullets
of the enemy The bishop of Cremo-
ma has informed me that the tall
ans have already taken eighteen Aus
TRAN priests as hostages.
And the burning OF Loucnin and
the bombardment of churches?'
The Germans reply that their
troops have been fired upon" the
pope made answer. They have de
clared that there was an observatory
in the tower of the cathedral at
Rheims. With reference to Louvain.
l have already given orders concern.
ing 1t. We shall assist in restoring
the cathedrals. Is there need to say
that we condemn with all our force
such things' Every shot hred upon
the cathedral Of Rhe ms was felt In
my heart"
The pope struck his breast and
added:
But the hour has not yet come to
his entangle the truth from all Of the
contradictory assertions which sur
round It, The vatican Is not a court.
We do not give judgment; the Judge
is on high"
1t was pointed out to the pontif
that France regretted to see that the
pope had endeavored to prevent Italy
from participating in the war and the
question was asked II this was not ia
voring the plans of German diplom-
acy.
IL recognize clearly that We are
neutral" the pontiff replied. We
have given instructions along this
line. We wanted peace first, be-
cause I am the representative OF God
on earth. God wishes that there be
peace among men. A pope can want
and preach only peace; and further
more, because We are in Italy and we
wanted to have this country which
we love, saved the suffering OF war"
There was suggestion of tears IN
the eyes Of the pontiff as he said this.
Does your holiness expect to take
any initiative to promote peace?"
To this the pope replied:
THE hour does not seem to me to
have come. should not act without
the fullest knowledge, lest l weaken
the moral authority which hold OF
God, and must employ to bring
peace again among men. But shall
seek the opportunity; l shall seize the
first hand outstretched.
MESSAGE