The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-05-07
War Can Be Brought to Early
Close If Entente Allies Are
Willing to Treat
TIME FOR AMERICA
TO ACT is BELIEF
Reported That Ambassador
Page Has Asked President
Wilson to Move in Matter
of Restoring Peace


son today received an important com
munication from Pope Benedict bear
Ing on the establishment of peace in
Europe. The exact nature of the mes
rage was not disclosed. but 1t Is I'M
derstood the Pope urges President Will
son TO suggest negotiations at once.
II was stated also he expressed hope
that break In diplomatic relations
between the United states and Ger
many would not develop, The commu-
nicauon was delivered by the Right
Rev, Giovanni Romano. apostolic dele
gate. He called at the White House
shortly before ] O'Clock and delivered
to secretary Tumulty "a sealed pack
age TO be handed to the President
The papal delegate did not see Pres
tdent Wilson In person
The Pope. ii is said. egsatnuuicated
to President Wilson that he had been
informed by representatives. OF bell
ligcrept countries at the Holy See that
the obstacles to peace which had ex~
listed to this time have disappeared
None OF me bc}l!gerents, 1t Ia gathered
here. IS ready to submlt definite terms
OF peace. but all wouia consider prs
iiminarY suggestions as To a basis FOX
discussion There were strong init
nations at the State neI 4rtment that
Germany has really made. in tho strict
peace aud that the next step viii tie
taken hy the tnttc6 States.
Possible peace Proposals.
II Was said the department had re-
eeivsa from Ambassador Gerard at
Berlin a report on LoHsible peace pro-
posals ANA terms as outlined to Ne.
.ierard at mrs conference with tte
German Emperor AT German head
quarters 1t was stated BY an official
Hazard -k.Ks+f.AF =
the iatter's invitation and Il Is be-
licved here that the principal discus
sion was not Germanys reply to the
United states. but the opportunity pre-
scented to this country to serve tho
world by Interesting Itself in q timely
enor, to bring the war TO. an end. II
= was said In its reply to the United
States demands. Germany desired to
puf itself ON record formally before
the world as II had on two other oc-
easious within the last few months
through announce ments made tn Ber-
lin. as being ready TO make peace on
basis Faafeguarding Germany vital
interests thus indicating that II is
not Germanys fault IL peace Is stih
withheld from the nations Of Eu-
rope"
only one Interpretation can ne placed
on that reference In Gcrmany's reply,
II was declared. IT would serve the
nurpose of formal authorization from
Germany IL the United States should
act upon II and approach Great Bri-
tain, France and Russia TO sound them
out
It was inttmatea further 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 Germany's vital
interests It was also said the state
Department had kept in most intimate
touch for the last few months especial
Is, with the sentiment toward peace in
the warning capitals.
American diplomats at London, Paris
and Petrograd as we'll as at Berlin
and Vienna have reported conserva-
lions they have had with officials on
the subject OF peace and the terms tho
various belligerents would he willing
10 base negotiations upon.
An Invitation to Act.
The fact that Count won Bernstorn.
the German Ambassador. would neither
AFFIRM nor deny that the references
TO peace contained in the Germany re-
piv were an invitation to this govern
uent to undertake ia usa its good
offices In the interest OF restoration
Of peace, was construed to mean that
Germany had actually proposed such
a course to the United States, An Of
fcial In close touch with the devel-
opments said today that the United
states may act at the Pope's suggestion
and at Germany's invitation. The frst
rtep to be taken by this government
looking to the conclusion of the war,
he said. would be to ascertain through
the entente diplomatic representatives
here or through their foreign officers
whether their countries are willing to
consider peace proposals.
II an Affirmative answer is received
then this government will present Il
plan for discussing basis on which
nesce terms might be considered, and,
n they are accepted. the next develop
ment would be proposal by the United
states that the belligerent countries
agree to an armistice. the duration of
which would be limited either to a
aged number OF days or until the ne
rotiatIons should be concluded. IT is
nossible it was said, the peace con-
ference would be held in the United
states. but there is a wide difference
Of opinion on this point. Many be-
1ieye Il would be in Switzerland. es-
necially IL il is called during the sum
mer, and II Ia known that Spain is
actively seeking to induce the hellig-
erents 10 hold the congress in Madrid.
Good Indication.
It was pointed out today that the
return to Germany OF Prince Won Bue-
low former German ambassador in
Rome, the conference of Ambassador
Gerard with the German Emperor and
the sending of a communication by
Pope Benedict to President Wilson, all
coming practically together were timed
fer q purpose.
Prince Won BusIow. II was said. has
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