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

Washington, May S.-President Will
son received an important message
from Pope Benedict bearing on the es-
Enlistment 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 a 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 a 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, 1t was
said in it's 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 II
Berlin, as being ready to make peace
on a basis safeguarding Germany
vital interests" thus indicating 1t il
not Germany's fault II peace is Still
withheld from the nations Of Europe.
1t was intimated furthert that Ger
many had outlined to the Unite;
States through Ambassador Gerart
more specific terms upon which sh'
would be willing to treat for peace
than the general assertion that thOs'
terms must safeguard Germany's vita
interests.
Eernstorff Remains Silent.
The fact that Count Won BernstOrrt
the German ambassador, would Meth
er affirm nor deny that the reference
to peace in the German reply Wer
an invitation to this government t
undertake to use it's good offices wa
construed to mean Germany actuall
had proposed such a course to tn
United States.
An official in close touch with tn
developments said the United State
might act at the pope's suggestion an
at Germanys invitation.
| II is pOSSlD4e, IL was Sdlu' VIC p0"N
, conference would be held in the Unit
ed States, but there is wide differ
ence of, opinion on this point. Man
believe 1t would be in Switzerland, es
pecially if it is called during the sun
mer, and l. is known Spain is active
ly seeking to induce the belligerent
to hold the congress in Madrid.
1t was pointed out that the retur
to Germany of Prince Won Buelov
. former German ambassador in Rome
the conference of Ambassador Gerar
: with the German emperor and tn
sending of a communication by Pop
Benedict to President Wilson, all con
! ing practically together, were time
:. for a purpose.