The Washington times., 1915-06-22
POPE CONDEMNS
ALL WAR HORRORS
Declarations Make Profound
Impression in Official Circles
Of Rome.

ROME, June IA profound impression
has been made by the declaration OF
Pope Benedict that both sides In the
war have committed atrocities. Today
II IL the principal topic Of conversation.
Citins reports he has received from
churchmen in all sections OF the war
zone his holiness was particularly severe
In his criticism of the food blockade.
He declared 1t was a sad commentary
on civilization. and his prayers go UP
for the innocent ones who suffer hunger
because OF the tactics.
The Pope then referred to the sinking
of the Lusitania, and Is quoted by the
correspondent as saying:
II do not know OF more frightful
srason tSe prss q such 'fs @
have the heart OF q father, and this
heart has been torn.
But what do you think OF the block
sde which constriSts to ,;,np empires which nnn
cents7 Is that inspired also by feelings
entirely humane7"
Would Save Country.
It was pointed out to the Pontiff that
France regretted to see that the Pope
had endeavored to prevent Italy from
participation in the war, and the .ques-
ton was asked II this was not favor
ing the plans OF German diplomacy.
II recognize clearly that we are
neutral" the Pontiff replied. I'VE have
given instructions along this line. We
wanted peace, first. because 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, furthermore. because we
this country, which we love, saved the
suffering of war"
There was a suggestion Of tears In
the eyes Of the Pontiff as he said this.
The interviewer then mentioned the
whether r. the pope was free and wheth-
er. under the law Of guarantees, he
could exercise freely and completely his
mission in the world.
Conditions Unsatisfactory.
The Pope replied that there was no
need of concealins that the interests
OF the Holy See had been considered,
and added:
THE state OF war puts these interests
In danger. We are at the present time
In an uncertain situation. I must rec
ognize that the italian government is
giving us some proofs of It's good in
tentions, Our relations are improved.
but conditions are as yet not to our
entire satisfaction. For example. could
they not let me keep my guards intact?
II need to guarantee the material Sc
! treasures w<ich surround me. They
took twenty OF my guards. several offi-
| GERS and others whom l cannot readily
replace. The Noble Guards were mobil-
ICED. but that amounted to very little
besides the grave Inconvenience Of not
being able to communicate with my
| faithful
THE government offered the free use
Of cipher to the representatives. CT the
powers accredited to us. but under the
See. That was too dangerous; We
might have been accused of indiscre-
| tions touching military matters. i re-
| fused this offer.
Pope's Mail Opened.
IT was promised freedom Of CORE
spondence uncontrolled by the censor
but my secretary OF state brought me
| this morning a letter from the patriarch
Of Venice with the seals broken. At the
| tribunal OF penitence. which deals only
with private affairs concerning the
| faithful who submit to US cases OF in
dividual conscience. several letters have
been received opened.
| I'VE no longer hear anything save
the sound of the bell. Reports with ma
| tions enemy to Italy are suppressed
the reIs esentatives accredited to VI
have had to leave Rome. Our guards
and our means are by 30 much weak
ened. We have faith in the present
government but we tremble to see our
selves exposed to the uncertainties o.
public life In Italy.
Rome is a furnace in perpetual fer
ment. Would you say 1t were absurd
In these last days to fear a revolu
tion? What will tomorrow bring
How would the people receive defeat
How would they behave in victory?
Every movement Of this people-th'
most impressionable of the earth-ha
it's reflex here. And We feel ourselves
less protected today.
Does your holiness expect to TAX
any initiative to promote peace?"
To this the POPE replied:
THE hour does not seem to me h
have come. I should not act save will
the fullest knowledge, lest 1 weaken tn
moral authorities which l hold of Go,
and which / must employ to bring peac
again among men. But I shall seek tn
opportunity; ! shall seize the first ham
OutStretched,"