Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-05-08
PEACE TALK HEARD
AGAIN At CAPITAL
Significant Circumstances Lead
to Belief That Powerful Influ-
ences Are at Work.
REFERRED TO IN GERMAN NOTE
Personal Message From Pope to
President Believed to Bear
on Subject.
REFERRED TO IN GERMAN NOTE
Especial to The Tlmes-Dispatch. ]

WASHlNGTON. May I. Serious
peace talk has been revived in Wash
ington by the German note and by the
visit TO the White House yesterday
of Mgr. Giovanni Bonzano, the apostolic
delegate. with personal message
from the Pope to President Wilson.
Whether or not there IS any real
substance TO tho reports of a new move
for n suspension OF hostilities. remains
to be seen, but there are significant
circumstances. which lead to the hope
that powerful influences may be at
work to that end
The mission of Mgr. Bonzano is one
OF them. 1t was learned az the execu-
tive Offices. after his departure, that
he had delivered to Secretary Tumulty
:, communication from the Pope that
bore upon possible peace negotiations,
and upon the important part the United
States might have In such negotiations.
If the submarine controversy between
this country and Germany does not in
terfere.
In that connection it is recalled that
the Pope, from the beginning. has rec
ognized the strategic position the
United States occupies as possible
mediator between the belligerents.
Being the most powerful of the neutral
nations. and the diplomatic channel
through which the warning elements
now communicate, the Holy See has re-
garded President Wilson as the logi-
cal instrumentality for bringing the
contending forces together when the
time should arrive.
MESSAGE FROM POPE
SEVERAL MONTHS AGO
Pope requested Cardinal Gibbons to
convey personal message to the Pres
ident many months ago--a message
which was never made public but one
which. 1t was generally believed. had
to do with peace negotiations 1t was
learned at that time that the Presi-
dent then saw no favorable opportu-
nifty to make "A new tender Of good Of
fees 10 the belligerents. He had pre-
viously Informed each side of the con-
lict that he stood ready at any mo-
mont to mediate for Il ssation of hos
, tilities. but he did not then feel in
clined, it was said, to do more than
repeat his offer.
Neither the White House nof the
apostolic delegate would discuss the
message from the Pope. 1t WAS i'm
mediate!y sent to the President by Sec
retary Tumulty. and. being regarded
as strictly confidential. no official would
comment upon it or do more than inti-
mate that il made reference to peace
proposals.
This message. coming so closely on
the heels of the new German note, has
caused speculation as to the possibll-
ity OF early peace discussions. This
note, as has been pointed out, con-
tains the frank statement by Germany
that the Berlin government. con
! scious OF It's strength" was willing to
consider peace terms upon basis that
! will safeguard Germany's vital inter
/ ests
The fact is recited in this communi-
cation that twice within recent months
tho German government has let the
fact be known that il was disposed
| to treat for peace. The intlmation
then followed that the Germans were
still ready TO discuss terms and for
/ that reason, as we'll as for others the
Berlin ministry would regret any
break in friendly relations with the
United States.
APTITUDE OF PRESIDENT
Is NOT YET REVEALED
what view the President will take
of this section of the Berlin note and
OF the Pope's communication cannot
he stated He may take the position
that the note, i'm fact reveals no new
attitude on the part Of Germany: that
the allies have known all along tina,
Berlin was prepared to talk peace, and
that nothing remains for this govern
ment TO do except To hold itself ready
10 act AS intermediary at any hour OF
,Ix do, ,Ssrl,
TO consider the German terms
American diplomatic representatives
in every intelligent capital. II car he
stated definitely. have instructions to
make the position of the United States
clear with regard to peace ovcrtures
and to lose no favorable opportunity
10 impress upon the governments to
which these diplomats are accredited,
the eagerness with which the United
States will respond when our services
may he needed.
The feeling prevails here. therefore.
that the President will make no fresh
offer of mediation to the nations now
at war. but will content himself with
the occasional reminders Of American
willingness to act, which the Presi-
dents ambassadors are giving to the
bclligcrcnts.
All peace talk IS more or less sieni-
ficant. however. no matter how remote
tho possibility OF an early ending OF
the war, and To that extent Wash
inEton is decidedly Interested in tho
recent developments I'm that direction.
1t is too much TO say. though, that
either the administration or those
closely associated with II are Of tho
opinion that the conflict has entered
upon its final stages.