Evening star., 1916-12-13
TO THE VATICAN.
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
BERLIN. December 1.-THE note Of
the German government as presented
by DR.. voa MuhIberg, German minister
to the Vatican. to Cardinal Gasparri.
papal secretary of state, reads as fol-
lows:
According to instructions received i
have the honor to send to your eminencs
copy of the declaration of the i'm
perial government today, which by the
with the protection of German interests
in the countries with which the Ger
man empire is in a state of war, trans
mits to these states. and in which the
imperial government declares itself
ready to enter into peace negotiations.
The Austro-Hungarian. Turkish and
Bulgarian governments also have sent
similar notes.
THE reasons which prompted Ger
many and her allies to take this step
are manifest. For two years and half
terrible war has been devastating the
European continent. Unlimited treas
ures Of civilization have been de-
stroyed. Extensive areas have been
soaked with blood. Millions of brave
lions have returned home as invalids
Grief and sorrow fill almost every
house.
Not only upon the beiligerent nations
but also upon neutrals the destructive
consequences of the gigantic struggle
weigh heavily. Trade and commerce, care
fully built UP in years of peace. have been
depressed. The best forces of the nation
have been withdrawn from the produc-
ton of useful objects. Europe, which
formerly was devoted to the propa ga ton
Of religion and civilization. which was
trying to find solutions for social prob
lens and was the home Of science and
art and all peaceful labor. now resembles
an immense war camp, in which the
achievements and works of many decades
are doomed to annihilation.
Germany ls carrying on a war of de-
fense against her enemies, which ain, 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 develop freely her intellec-
tuai and economic energies IN peaceful
competition and on an equal footing with
other nations All the efforts of their
enemies are unable to s1atter the heroic
armies Of the 'Teutonic) allies. which
protect the frontiers OF their countries.
strengthened by the certainty 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 determined to defend to the last ex-
! tremity the inherited treasure of intel
/ lectual and economic work and the social
| organization and sacred soil of the coun-
/ try.
Certain Of our own strength, but real
/ izing Europe's sad future II the war con
tinues; seized with pity in the face of the
unspeakab BILE misery Of humanity the
German empire. in accord with her allies
| soiemniy repeats what the chancellor al
ready has declared, a year ago. that Ger
many is ready to give peace to the world
| by setting before the whole world the
! question whether Or not it is possible to
! find a basis for an understanding
Since the first day of the pontifical
reign his holiness the Pope has unswerv-
| ingly demonstrated, in the most gen
erous fashion, his solicitude for the in
| Vulnerable victims Of this war He has
alleviated the sufferings and ameliora ted
the fate of thousands of men injured by
this catastrophe. Inspired by the exalt-
ed ideas of his ministry. his holiness has
seized every opportunity in the interests
| Of humanity to end so sanguinary war
| The imperial government is firmly
confident that the initiative of the four
| powers will find friendly welcome on the
part OF his holiness. and that the work OF
peace can count upon the precious sup
! mort Of the holy see"