Evening journal., 1916-04-17
Pope SAYS HE Will
AID jews ABROAD
Promises TO Ask That Rights
of Sufferers Be
Observed
PRAYS FOR PEACE,
PRAISES LIBERTY

NEW YORK. April Hills Holiness
Pope Benedict ~. through the papal
secretary Of state, Cardinal Gasparri,
las sent the following sympathetic let
Ter 10 Louis Marshall president, and
.hc American Jewish committee.
Secretary of State 60 Ills Holiness.
"From the Vatican.
'Ccntlcmen: The supreme Pontili has.
with interest, taken notice of the letter
bearing date December 30, 1918, which
you have been pleased TO address 10
aim In the name of the three million
Jewish citizens OF the United States of
America. In order to communicate TO
aim generally the treatment To which
your co.rchgionsts complain they have
been exposed IN various regions. And,
at the same time. YOU have requested
him To intcrpose the weight of his su-
prcmc moral aud spiritual power in
order that these sullcrings may be ter
minated b, an act of that humanity to
which the Holy Father Is 81 passionate.
~ devoted.
Considers All Men Brethren.
''lhc supreme pontil is unable 90 cN-
press himself concerning the special
facts referred to in the memorandum
submitted With vour letter But in
principle. as the head of the Catholic
Church. which. faithful TO its divine
doctrine and To its most glorious tradi-
iion-. considers all men as brethren aud
teaches thcm to love one another. lac will
not cease TO inculcatc the observance
among individuals as among nations. ot
the principles of natural right aud TO
rcproNc every violation of them.
"rhis right should be observed and
respected IN relation 10 the children Of
Israel. as 10 should hc as 10 all men,
for il would not conform to Justice and
10 religion itself tp-dcrogatc thcrcirom
solely because of a difference of religious
faith.
Moreover i'm his patcrnal heart.
panied by the spectacle of the eX-
listing horrible war. the Supreme
pontiff feels in this moment more
deeply that ever the necessity that
an men shall recollect that they are
brothers and that their salvation lies
I'm the return TO the law Of love,
which Is the law of the Gospels. He
also desires to interest to this end
al WuNf AoH'ilhlAl ny A'hoNh va INV
sacred attribute Of their pastoral
ministrations, arc able TO bring ef-
ncicnt aid to this important result
Rejoice In Civil Unity Here.
"ln the mean time His Holiness
rcsoices I'm the unity which in civil
matters exists i'm the United States
Of America among the members OF
different faiths. and which con-
tributes so powerfully TO the peace
ful prosperity OF your great country.
He prays 10 God that peace may at
length appear for the happiness OF
that humanity of which you truly
say the Holy Father is the guardian.
accept, gentlemen. the assur-
ances OF my most distinguished and
devoted sentiments. lSigned),
"P. CARDINAL GASPARRI."
Plea That Was Sent to Pope.
The letter responds to a plea sent
10 the Pope by Mr., Marshall and his
associates. including Jacob H. Schiff,
Oscar S. Straus and Mayer Sulz-
berger. begging His Holiness TO in
tercede for the Jews i'm various lands
who have been subjected 10 fright
ful prosecutions. particularly since
the European conflict began. This
petition runs. In part.
Fully persuaded that had Your
Holiness been acquainted with these
facts the Holy See would at once
have exercised the profound moral.
ethical and religious influence with
which the Roman Catholic Church is
endowed upon those who regard Your
Holiness as their shepherd, but who
have unfortunately participated In
this persecution. with all due venera.
ion VIC now approach the Supreme
Pontiff for succor in this the bitter
hour Of our need.
Knowing the exemplary humanity
for watch Your Holiness is Justly dis.
tinguished, II is our sincere prayer
that the occasion may be deemed a
fitting one for resort to the authority
vested in the sovereign of the great
Roman Catholic hierarchy to urge his
Cardinals, Archbishops, Bishops and