Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-02-22
POPS EIII ES PEACE
AS TEUT0N kAEERS
PLAN FOR COUNCIL
Pontiff's Plea Believed to
Be Chief Theme for
Forthcoming Meeting of
Einperors William and
Francis Joseph.

GENEVA, Feb %.
The forthcomng conference OF Emper-
ors William and Francis Joseph Is re-
ported in dispatches received from Aus
ti9an sources today. to have as its cmef
object consideration Of a proposal from
pope Benedict that the Teutonlc allies
signify their willingness to make peace.
This report Is borne out by dispatch
from Rome saying that the Pope has
approached the Kaiser through Ger
man Cardinal and suggested that, as Ger
many and its ally have upheld their mill
tsry honor terms Of peace might be
made now.
VIENNA, Feb %.
Emperor Francis Joseph Of Austria and
Emperor william of Germany are soon to
hold their FIRST conference since the war
began the Nehe treic Presse announced
today. The two sovereigns will meet on
the Austro-Gcrman frontier.
The Neue Freie Presse states that Inn
perial Chancellor Won Bethmann- Hollweg
OF Germany and Premier Baron Burian,
OF Austria Hungary. held a long confer
ence yesterday. The Chancellor was also
rscefyed by Archduke Charles Francis
Joseph, heir to the Austrian throne, who
later had the two Ministers as luncheon
guests
The conference of the Ministers was
held at the headquarters of Archduke
Frederick. commander-in-chief OF the
Austrian armies
ROME, Feb -.
That the time Is rapidly approaching
when tie neutral nations must demand
that the present war be ended is the
.f..N- ,Iar ~ ftas.
Vatican Up tc the present Pope Benedict
has been contenting himself with efforts
10 mitigate the suffering caused by the
war. But during the present fast period
It is expected an effort will be made to
determine whether concerted action by
the neutTais is not possible
The attitude OF the Vatican was set
forth for the benefit of the United States
by Cardinal Gasparri, Papal Secretary of
State. who received an American jour
nalist in his apartments at the Vatican
today When Informed that the people
OF the United States were very anxious
70 learn at first hand just what His Holi-
ness was planning he said:
THE Holy Father appeals with all of
HIS soul for the re-establishment OF peace.
especially because his sons on both sides
are engaged in a fratricidal struggle.
Until now the attempt TO attain so
highly a Christian and humane result by
personally appealing TO the oelllGerents
must nave been doomed TO certain defeat.
1t was because of the realization of this
fact that the Holy Father has to the
present time confined himself to doing
everything possible to mitigate the un-
happy consequences OF the war
''But when the neutral Powers. among
whom you will realize the United States
holds the first place. Judge that toe mo-
ment has arrived TO demand peace from
the belligerents, his holiness VIII be
most happy to exchange views on the
subject. His entire moral influence Is
nov being exerted for this sacred cause.
and the time is ripe now for the press
Of the entire world to work upon public
opinion and hasten this greatly-to-oe-
desired moment The press wields most
pawerful Influence, 1t must not overlook
its opportunity to force peace now
And the mothers and wives OF the
entire civilized world should act. and
should act now. Regardless of national
fly. all women should now unite for a
great peace movement. and move It along
with their prayers and their Influence
I have learned with great pleasure OF the
movement for peace among the women
Of America, and I am hopeful that II
win extend throughout the entire world