Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1916-05-08
Circumstances Lead to Be
lief That Influences
Are At Work
GIBBONS is HOPEFUL
Personal Message From Pope Bene-
dict Said to Bear Upon Cessation
of Hostilities

Landon, May 8, 1:l5 p. m..-The
correspondent at Rotterdam of the
Exchange Telegraph Company cabled
the following today:
"On the occasion Of the Easter fes-
tival Emperor William sent an auto
graph letter to Pope Benedict ex-
pressing the hope that the pontiff,
with the King of Spain, would be
able TO construct scheme with the
object of bring together, under the
auspicious emblem Of the dove and
olive branch, conference of belll-
gerents for consideration Of an i'm
mediate armistice, in the fervent
hope of securing an early peace
without detriment to the legitimate
aspirations of nationalities.
London, May S.-Prince Won Bue-
low, former German chauncle
lor, has been summoned to headquar-
ters by Emperor William, according
to dispatch to the Exchange Tel
egraph Company from The Hague.
His visit, adds the dispatch, is
said to be of great political signifi-
canoe.
Washington, May 8. Serious
peace talk has been revived in Wash
ingtonsbythe German note and by the
visit to the White House Saturday OF.
Mre. Giovanni Bonzano, the apos-
tolic delegate, with a personal mes
sage from the Pope to President Will
son.
Whether or not there is any real
substance to the reports of a new
move for a 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. It was learned at the execu-
tive Offices, after his departure, that
he had delivered to Secretary 1um-
ulty communication from the Pope
that bore upon possible peace nego-
tiations, and upon taelimpcrtant part
the United States might have in such
negotiations, if the submarine con-
troyersy between this country and
Germany does not interfere.
In that connection it is recalled that
the Pope, from the beginning, has rec
ognized the strategic position the
United States occupies as a possible
mediator between the belligerents
Being the most powerful of the neu.
tralnations, and the diplomatic chan
mel through which the warning ele,
ments now communicate, the Holy
See has regarded President Wilson
as the logical insrrumentality for
bringing the contending forces to
GeCner, WNel Tie tliiC SiAOeAe 90
It was with this in mind that tn
Pope requested Cardinal Gibbons II
convey a personal message to tn
President many months aEo-a mes
sage which was never made public
but one which, it was generally be
lieved, had to do with peace negotia
tons. 1t was learned at that tim
that the President then saw no favor
able opportunity to make new tend
He had previously informed each sid
er of good Offices to the belligerents
of the conflict that he stood ready q
any moment to mediate for a cessa
ton of hostilities, but he did not the
feel inclined, it was said, to do NOR
than repeat his offer.
Neither the White House nor tn
apostolic delegate would discuss tn
message sent to the President by Sex
retary Tumulty, and, being regarde
as; strictly confidential, no oficis
would comment upon it or do nor