The Pulaskian., 1916-12-15
GERMANY WOULD END THE WAR
 AND LAYS CLAIMS BEFORE VATICAN

bassadors and ministers of foreign governments were in the diplomatic box.
 The note presented by Dr. von Muhlberg, German minister to the Vatican, to Cardinal Gasparri, papal secretary of state, follows
 Pope Asked to Be Mediator.
 According to instructions received, have the honor to send to your em- which. by the good offices of the pow CTS, entrusted with the protection of German interests in the countries with which the German empire is in state of war, has been transmitted to these states, and in which the imperial gov ernment 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 a terrible war has been devas- tating the European continent. Un- limited treasures of civilization have been destroyed. Extensive areas have been soaked with blood Millions of brave soldiers have fallen in battle and millions have returned home as invalids. Grief and sorrow fill al- most every house.
 Mot only upon the belligerent na- tions, but also upon Ieutrals, the de- structive consequences of the gigan- tic struggle weigh heavily Trade and commerce, carefully built up in years of peace, have been depressed. The best forces of the nations have been withdrawn from the production of use full objects. Europe, which formerly was devoted to the propagation of re- ligion and civilization, which was try ing to find solutions for social prob lens and was the home of science and art and all peaceful labor, now resem- bles an immense war camp in which the achievements and works Of many decades are doomed to annihilation.
 Germany is carrying on a war of defense against her enemies, which aim 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 de- yelop freely her intellectual and eco- homie energies in peace competition and on an equal footing with other nations. All the efforts of their ene- mics are unable to shatter the heroic armies of the (Teutonic) allies, which protect the frontiers of their coun- tries, strengthened by the certainty that the enemy shall never pierce the iron wall
 Move for Humanity.
 Those fighting on the front know that they are supported by the whole nation, which is inspired by love for it's country and is ready for the great est sacrifices and determined to de- fend to the last extremity the inher- ited treasure of intellectual and eco homie work and the social organiza- tion and sacred soil of the country.
 Certain of her own strength, but realizing Europe's sad future if the war continues; seized with pity in the | face of the unspeakable misery of hu- manity, the German empire, in accord with her allies, solemnly repeats what the chancellor already has declared, year ago, that Germany is ready to give peace to the world by setting be- fore the whole world the question whether or not it is possible to find a basis for an understanding
 Since the first day of the pontifi- cal reign, his holiness, the pope, has unswervingly determined, in the most generous fashion, his solicitude for the innumerable victims of this war He has alleviated the sufferings and ameliorated the fate of thousands of men injured by this catastrophe. h. spired by the exalted ideas of his min istry, his holiness has seized every opportunity in the interest of human 1 ity to end so sanguinary a 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 support of the holy see" l themselves felt, the applause coming