Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-09-04
Pope Bencdict's Flea for Peace


CARDINAL GIBBONS'S conference with
~ President Wilson. at which he presented
a confidential message from the Pope invit-
ing the cooperation Of this government in
initiating peace proposals. follows logically
as we'll as chronoioGically Germanys aban-
donment of the more murderous aspects of
her submarine warfare With this new light
on the subject. il is possible perhaps. to UNI
'derstand a little more definitely how Germany
has been brought TO make such sweeping con-
cessons to President Wilson's demands
Germany wants peace. The Kaiser and
his advisers realize. whatever optimism they
display in the public view. and however sue
cessfully they conceal their apprehensions
from the German people that victory in this
war is impossible. AS it was with the South
in the War Between the States. every triumph
OF German arms contributes to the exhaustion
Of German strength. With her mailed foot
Belgium. rich cities and departments of
France. all Of Russian Poland and good part
of the Russian Baltic provinces. Germany yet
sees herself At the summit OF her possible
achievement The day of reckoning draws
near. and she would anticipate il by IA peace
congress.
In this view Of the case. surrender Of the
friendship OF the one great neutral nation
would have been an act OF folly beyond the
commission OF even German diplomacy. To
defy President Wilson. in the immediate
aftermath OF the Lusitania ira edy Berlin Of
fcialdom inclined to do. would have been
to make international law mockery. solidify
the allied determination to conquer and Haunt
the opinion of the whole neutral world. This
attitude is possible to the victor, but not to
him for whom the handwriting on the wall
spells ultimate defeat.
First to France and then TO Russia Ger
many has made peace overtures. The recent
declaration Of the German Socialists against
tbn rntan i'm Of rod hos han,
thought by American Socialists, grown dis
irustful Of their Teutonic brethren. to have
represented German official effort to feel
out allied sentiment. The same cynics say
that the suspension OF the Norwaerts. where
in the declaration appeared. was mere
friendly raid. such the Tammany police
force used To make when public Indignation
became heated. on some favored gambling
house. In other words the Socialistic state
ment. which to have been Endorsed if il
met with favor. was disavowcd when it gained
no favor whatever.
However that may be, it is believed gen
orally that Berlin and Nienna--the latter
especa ly--have been seeking TO induce the
Vatican to pave the way for peace For
week or more. cabegrams from Rome have
teemed with this suggestion. which now as
sumes almost the dimensions of certainty
Without the approval Of one or another OF
the belligerent nations, Pope Benedict scarce
~ would have venturcd TO take the mo-
mentous step he has taken. With Washing
ton and the American people angry and re-
sentful if not actively uniriendly. il would
have been futile to ask President Wilson's aid
AS il is there is hope of peace. but in our
view. that hope is slight. Germany will make
no proffers now that the allies can accept and
the allies will not throw Il way the decisive
advantage that. slowly but inevitably, as time
passes and the iron girdle congresses the
heart OF German trade and industry. becomes
theirs Moreover. there is Belgium, whose
wrongs cry to heaven. We're France and
Britain TO conclude peace that involved no
atonemcnt to the nation which sacrificed all
for honor and for them, they would write
themselves down such cravens and ingrates
the world has never known
Orozco was killed in horse stealing raid.