Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1915-09-03
No Further Efforts Will Be
Made Until Urged by
the Belligerents.
Is PREPARED TO SERVE
Original Offer to Assist in
Ending the War Still
Stands, It Is Stated.

London, Sept. 3, $500 p m.)-|n
high official circles here it is learned
authoritativeIy that recent rumors of
peace have no foundation in any step
by the British government or in any
statement issued here from authorita-
tive sources.
No member of the government
would allow himself to be quoted in
the discussion of the peace rumol
which recently have gained wide cir
culation. The Associated Press. how
ever, was authorized to make public
the foregoing explicit denial
Washington, q. c. Sept. 8.-The
United States will make no further eff
forts to bring about peace in Europe
until it has received information that
It's good Offices will be welcomed by
both sides in the conflict
This was stated authoritatfvely here
today in official discussions Of the
message from Pope Benedict, delivered
to President Wilson yesterday by Car
dinaI Gibbons.
From the fact that the vatican is in
close touch with Austria, the consuuc-
tion placed by officials on the pope's
message is that the Germanic powers
would be willing TO discuss peace at
this time, It was stated by those IN
closest touch with the administration
that similar word Will have 60 be re-
.ceived from Great Britain and her
allies before the president will make
any further move.
President Wilson has made it clear
several times that his original offer of
services TO bring about peace still
stands and that he viii do everything
possible TO further the movement. The
United States however, will do moth
ing likely to endauger its position as a
friend to all belligereuts, it was said
authoritatively.
The pope's message will not be made
public by this government, although
there would be no objection if Cardi-
nal Gibbons gives it out. Enough of
the contents Of the message is known,
however, to give basis for the suspicion
that Austria, Germany and Turkey are
not adverse to discussing peace.
Conference Details Lacking.
Details of the conference between
Cardinal Gibbons and President VIII
son. at which the possibility of bring
ing about peace in Europe was dis
cussed, were lacking today, The car
dinals visit. however, caused wide
spread discussion in official and diplo-
matte circles.
Cardinal Gibbons returned to his
home in Baltimore without the text of
the message which he conveyed to
President Wilson from Pope Benedict
having been disclosed.
1t is known, however, that the pom
tiff's message praised President VIII
sons attitude and indicated a belief
that the United States might be in a
position to help bring about a cessa-
tion of hostilities in Europe The car
dinai also told the president that the
United States had been placed in a
very advantageous position to aid in
bringing TO an end the conflict. owing
to the apparent settlement of the is
sues between the United States and
Germany over submarine warfare,
which had greatly aided the cause of
peace.
Message Pleases President.
1t was said uH0ficially that the
president was greatly pleased with the
message and with the interview. Fur
ther developments as an outcome of
the conference are awaited with the
interest by officials and diplo-
mats alike. Possibility of joint action
for peace among the heads Of neutral
nations and the pope is suggested. al
though this idea lacks official confrma-
ton. President wilson's offer Of the
good Offices Of the United States to
help IN bringing about peace is still
open, although il is not known whether
he will take any further steps in that
direction without direct word from any
Of the powers concerned.