The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1916-05-11
POPE ASKS WILSON
TO MOVE FOR PEACE
Delegate Bonzano Delivers Re-
quest to President.
NATIONS READY FOR TERMS
Pontiff to Have Been Notified That
Warning Countries Would Welcome
ProposaIs--Dtscussed at Kaiser
Gerard Conference.

Washington, May 8.-President Will
son received an important message
from Pope Benedict bearing on the es-
adjustment of peace in Europe.
The exact nature of the message
was not disclosed, but it is understood
the pope urges President Wilson to
! suggest negotiations at once. 1t was
| declared also that the pope expressed
! the hope that break in diplomatic
relations between the United States
and Germany would not develop.
The communication was delivered
| by Ri Rev. Giovanni BOnzano, apOs-
tolic delegate. He called at the White
House about one o'clock and delivered
to Secretary Tumulty sealed pack
age, to be handed to the president.
Obstacles to Peace Removed.
The pope communicated to Presi-
| dent Wilson that he had been in
| formed by representatives of bellig-
erent countries at the Holy See that
the obstacles to peace which had
existed to this time have disappeared.
| There were strong intimations at
the state department that Germany
has really made, in the strictest con-
fidence. definite move toward peace
and that the next step will be taken
by the United States. 1t was said the
| department had received from Am
bassadOr Gerard a report on possible
peace proposals and terms as outlined
to Mr.. Gerard at his conference with
the German emperor.
1t was declared by ar official that
Mr.. Gerard saw the emperor at the
latter's invitation, and it is believed
here the principal subject discussed
was not Germany's reply to the Unit
ed States, but the opportunity pos
sessed by this country to serve the
world by interesting itself In time
ly effort to bring the war to an end.
The German government, it was
said in its reply to the United States
desires to put itself on record formal
ly before the world as it had on two
other occasions within the last few
months, through announcements In
Berlin, as being ready to make peace
on a basis safeguarding Germany s
+ vital interests" thus indicating 1t is
not Germany's fault If peace is still
withheld from the nations of Europe.
It was intimated furthers that Ger
many had outlined to the United
States through Ambassador Gerard
more specific terms upon which she
would be willing to treat for peace
than the general assertion that those
terms must safeguard GCrmany's vita
interests.
Rernstorff Remains Silent.
The fact that Count Won BernstOrff
the German ambassador, would Meth
er affirm nor deny that the references
to peace in the German reply were
an invitation to this government t.
undertake to use it's good offices was
construed to mean Germany actually
had proposed such a course to the
United States.
An official in close touch with the
developments said the United State!
might act at the pope's suggestion ant
at Germany's invitation.
1t is possible, it was said, the peace
conference would be held in the Unit
ed States, but there is a wide differ
ence Of, opinion on this point. Man!
believe 1t would be in Switzerland, es
pecialIy if it is called during the sum
mer, and t. is known Spain is active
ly seeking to induce the belligerent'
to hold the congress in Madrid.
1t was pointed out that the return
to Germany of Prince Won Buelow
former German ambassador in Rome
the conference of Ambassador Gerart
with the German emperor and thu
sending of a communication by Pope
Benedict to President Wilson, all com
ing practically together, were timed
for a purpose.