The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1916-12-13
Ruin Threatened.
Note To the Popc.

BERLIN. Dec. 1.-THE note pre-
scented by Dr.. Won Muhlberg, German
minister 10 the Vatican. 10 Cardinal
Gasparri. papal secretary of state toll
lows:
According TO instructions received,
| | have the honor TO send 10 your emil
ence a copy Of the declaration which
the Imperial government today, by the
good offices of the powers entrusted
! with the protection of German inter
ests in the countries with which The
German empire is in state or war,
| has been transmitted to these states,
and in which the Imperial government
declares itself ready 10 enter INTO
peace negotiations. The Austro-Hun'
| garian. Turkish and Bulgarian gov
ernments also have sent similar notes.
The reason which prompted Ger
many and her allies to take this step
| are manifest. For two years and a
| half a terrible war has been devastat-
! ing the European continent. Unlimlt'
| ed treasures of civilization have been
destroyed. Extensive areas have ben
soaked with blood. Millions of brave
soldiers have fallen in battle and mil
lions have returned home as lnvalldS.
! Grief and sorrow fill almost every
house.
Not only upon the belligcrent ma
tions but also upon neutrals the de-
structive consequences OF the g1gantlc
struggle weigh heavily. Trade and
commerce, carefully built up IN years
of peace have been depressed. The
best forces of the nations have been
withdrawn from the production OF use
full objects. Europe, which formerly
was devoted 10 the propagation OF re-
ligion and civilization, which was Try
Ling TO find solutions for social pro-
blems and was the home OF science
and art and all peaceful labor, now re-
sembles an immense war camp IN
which the achievements and works OF
many decades are doomed TO annihlll-
alton.
War of Defense. .
Germany is carrying on a war OF
defense against her enemies. whlcn
aim at her destruction. She fights TO
assure the intengrity Of her frontiers
and the liberty of the German nation,
for the right which she claims to de-
velop freely her Intellectual and econo'
mic energies in peaceful competition
and on an equal footing with other ma
tions. All the efforts Of their enemies
are unable to sbatter the heroic armies
of the (Teutonicl Allies. which pro-
tect the frontiers Of their countries,
strengthened by the certainty that me
enemy shall never pierce the iron wall.
Those fighting on the front Know
that They are supported by the whole
its country and is ready for the great
nation which is inspired by love lor
it's country and is ready for the great
est sacrifices and determined 10 de-
fend to the last extremity the lhheTlt'
eli treasure of intellectual and econoHl-
ic work and the social organization
and sacred soil of the country.
Certain of our own strength, Dut
realizing Europes sad future II the
war continues seized with pity in the
face of the unspeakable misery OF hu-
mainly, the German empire, in accord
with her allies, aolemnly repeats what
the chancellor already has declared,
: wear ago, that Germany is ready 10
give neace 10 the world by setting De-
fore The whole world the question
whether or not it is possible to find Il
basis for an understanding
Since the first days OF the pontltl-
clal reign His Holiness. the Pope mas
unswervingly demonstrated. In the
most generous fashion, his sollcltude
for the innumerable victims OF THIS
war. He has alleviated the sufterlnSS
and amellorated the fate of thousands
: of men injured By this catastrophe.
Inspired by the exalted ideas OF MS
ministry, his holiness has seized every
opportunity in the interest of human
ity 10 end so sanguinary war.
The Imperial government is tlrm-
" confident that the initiative Of the
four mowers will find friendly welcome
on the part OF his holiness, and that
the work of peace can count upon the
orocio,c runnortSof the HOLY See"