Evening star., 1915-06-22
Tells La Liberte Correspond
ent His Work for Peace and
Exchange of Prisoners.
FEELSlESS SECURE NOW
THAT ITALY is BATTLING
Declines to Discuss Atrocities AL.
legged Against Germans-Com-
plains of Lack of Freedom.

PARIS June 22.-La Liberte publish
es an interview with Pope Benedict.
signed by Louis LAtapie, a member Of
Its staff. who was sent to Rome for
the purpose Of ascertaining the Pope's
view on the various aspects of the
European war. Pope Benedict is
quoted as expressing horror at some
of the developments of the war. but in
the main the words Of the Pope have
to do with peace.
The interview began with an allusicn
by the pontiff to what the holy see
had done in respect to the war. The
pontiff had addressed a letter in favor
of peace to the Catholic world. He had
proposed truce to the belligerents for
the Christmastide. He had endeavored
to obtain an exchange Of prisoners un-
fitted for military service and had had
the good fortune to obtain in this re-
spect an appreciable result.
His holiness referred to the letter he
had written to Cardinals Lucon and
Annette of Rheims and Paris. respect
lively, and to his consistorfal address
January %.
M. LAtapie quotes the Pope as saying:
You desire that l should condemn
every crime specifically. but each one
of your accusations is accompanied by
reply on the part Of the Germans.
and I am not able to institute here
discussion. nor can l make
at this moment"
Under Plus KS Pontidcate.
"Is 1t necessary to inquire as to
the neutrality Of Belgium has
been yiolated?" asked the correspond
ent.
THAT was under the pontifcate OF
Plus x,'' the Pope replied.
rs it not known by all that many
priests have been taken as hostages In
Belgium and in France and shot
The Pope replied: ct have received
from Austrian bishops the assurance
hostages from among the Catholic
priests. and that the Russians on one
pushed before them 1900
Jews, SO that they could advance be-
to the bullets Of the enemy. The Bishop
Of Cremona has Informed me that the
Italians have already taken eighteen
Austrian priests as hostages.
There are SO many excesses that
have issued an admonition in my en-
at is permitted to no persons for
whatever motive. to violate justice,
1.-The Germans" said NJ. Latapis,
"roe To this 6HfS the Pope s replied: :aThe car
dinal-secretary of state has received
the representatives OF seven Belgian
They have declared that
they are not able to cite single case
in their congregations protected es-
pecially by the Virgin or by some
saint. We continue to be imperfectly
upon this subject"
Burning of Louvain.
And the burning of Louvain and the
of churches?'
THE Germans reply that their troops
have been fred upon," the Pope made
answer. They have declared that there
was an observatory in the tower of the
at Rheims. With reference
to Louvain I have already given orders
it, We shall assist in re-
storing the cathedrals. Is there need
to say that we condemn with all our
force such things? Every shot fired
upon the cathedral Of Rheims was felt
IN my heart"
The Pope struck his breast and added:
But the hour has not yet come to
the truth from all the con-
Trajectory assertions which surround
it. The Vatican is not q court. We do
not give judgment; the Judge is on
arrest of prince of the church, ven-
tured the correspondent.
Il shall surprise you: Cardinal Mer-
cier tArchbishop OF Malines) has mover
been arrested" replied the Pope. He
.an go about his diocese as he pleases
[ have received from Gen. Won Bissing.
the governor of Belgium, a letter as
suring me that he would repress here
after with the utmost energy all acts
IF violence against churches and
atnct Y11in
Sinking Of Lusitania.
The Pope then referred to the sink
ng of the Lusitania, and is quoted by
he correspondent as saying:
Il do not know OF a more frightful
What grief to see our
the prey of such horrors! |
have the heart Of father. and this |
,eart has been torn. But what do you |
hink of the blockade which constricts |
wo empires. which condemns to famine |
Millions of innocents? Is that inspired |
llso by feelings entirely humane"
The Pope continued: Il do not say that |
lfter the war will not proclaim syllabus.
ecalling and summing up the doctrines |
II the church on this subject and regulat-
ng for the future the rights and duties
,ut doubt, the formal condemnation Of
:rimes which will have been committed
Turing the war.
It was pointed out to the pontiff that |
france regretted to see that tho Pope |
lad endeavored to prevent Italy from
in the war, and the question
vas asked If this was not favoring the
,lans of German diplomacy.
Vatican Neutral.
1T recognize clearly that we are neu-
ral," the pontiff replied. 1--WE have given
Instructions along this line. We wanted
,eace, first, because am the representa-
i've of God on earth. God wishes that |
here 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
owe, saved the suffering Of war;
There was a suggestion OF tears in
he eyes of the pontiff as he said this
The interviewer then mentioned the
,fect of the war on the holy see-l
whether the Pope was free and wheth-
n, under the law OF guarantees, his
holiness could exercise freely and COM
,letely his mission in the world.
The Pope replied that there was no |
iced of concealing that the interests Of |
he holy see had been considered and |
ldded:
1.-The state of war puts these in
erests in danger. We are at the pres
mt time In an uncertain situation. I |
must recognise that the italian govern
nent is giving US some proofs of its |
rood intentions. Our relations are I'm
,royed, but conditions are aa vet not |