The public ledger. [volume] (Maysville, Ky.) 1913-1968, 1916-12-14
CHANCELLOR,s NOTE TO VATICAN

CHANCELLOKS NOTE TO NAIICAN
The note presented by DR.. Won
Muhlberg, German Minister to the
Vatican, to Cardinal Gasparri, Papal
Secretary of State, follows.
According to instructions re-
ceived, have the honor to send to
Your Eminence a copy Of the declara-
ton which the Imperial Government
today, by the good offices of the Pow
ers entrusted with the protection Of
German interests in the countries with
which the German empire is in a state
OF war, has been transmitted to these
States, and in which the Imperial
Government declares itself ready to
enter into Race negotiations. The
Austro-Hungarian Turkish and Bull
garian Governments also have sent
similar notes. N-
"The reasons which prompted Ger
many and her Allies to take this step
are manifest. For two years and
half a terrible war has been devastat-
ing the European continent. Unlimit-
ed treasures of civilization have been
destroyed. Extensive areas have been
soaked with blood. Millions of brave
soldiers have fallen in battle and mil
lions have returned home as invalids
grief and sorrow fill almost every
house.
mot only upon the belligerent ma
tions but also upon neutrals the de-
structive consequences of the gigantic
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withdrawn from the production Of
useful objects. Europe, which former
ly was devoted to the propagation of
religion and civilization, which was
| trying to find solutions for social
problems and was the home of science
and art and all peaceful labor. now re-
sembles an immense war camp in
which the achievements and work of
many decades are doomed to ami
hilation.
Germany is carrying on a war of
defense against her enemies which
aim at her destruction. She fights to
assure the integrity of her frontiers
and the liberty of the German nation
for the right which she claims to de-
velop freely her intellectual and eco
nomic energies in peaceful competi-
ton and on an equal footing with 9TH
er nations. All the efforts of their
enemies are unable to shatter the he
roic armies of the Teutonic Allies,
which protect the frontiers of their
countries, strengthened by the GER
tainty that the enemy shall never
pierce the iron wall.
Those fighting on the front know
that they are supported by the whole
nation which is inspired by love for
its country and is ready for the great
est sacrifices and determined to de-
fend to the last extremity the inherit
ed treasure of intellectual and eco
nomic work and the social organiza-
ton and sacred soil of the country,
Certain of our own strength but
realizing Europe's sad future If the
war continues; seized with pity in the
face of the unspeakable misery of
humanity, the German empire, in ac-
cord with her allies, solemnly repeats
what the Chancellor already has de-
clared a year ago, that Germany IL
ready to give peace to the world by
setting before the whole world the
question whether or not It Ia possible
to find basis for an understanding.
"Since the first day of the Pontifical
reign His Holiness the Pape has I'M
swervingly demonstrated, in the most
generous fashion, his solicitude for
the innumerable victims of this war
He has alleviated the sufferings and
ameliorated the fate of thousands of
men injured by this catastrophe. In
spired by the exalted ideas of his
ministry, His Holiness has seized ev-
cry opportunity in the interest of hui
manity to end so sanguinary a war.
"The Imperial government is firmly
confident that the initiative of the
four Powers will find friendly well
come on the part OF His Holiness. and
that the work of peace can count upon
the precious support OF the Holy See"
BOMB SUSPECT Is ARRESTED AT.
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