Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-12-13
SEIZED WITH PITY
FOR WORLD At WAR
Germany Realizes Europe's Sad
Future if Conflict
Continues.
CERTAIN OF ITS OWN POWER
Note to Vatican Explains Why
Kaiser Makes Move
for Peace.
CERTAIN OF ITS OWN PoWEF

BERLIN. December ,2-Thc note
presented by l,r. Won Muhlborg. Ger
man minister to tho Vatican, to Car
dinal Gnsparri. papal secretary OF state
follows:
according to instructions received,
J have the honor to send to Your En-
inence COPY Of tho declaration which
the imperial government to-day. bv tho
good Offices Of the powers intrusted
with the protection of German inter
ests in the countries with which the
German empire is i'm a state of war
transmits To these states. and in which
the imperial government declares itself
ready totentcr into pcac. negotiations
The Austro- Hungarian, Turkish and
Bulgarian governments also have sent
similar notes
The reasons which prompted Ger
many and her allies 10 tax. this step
arc manifest For two years and a
half terrible war has been devastat-
ing the European Continent Tn
limited treasures of civilization have
been destroyed. Extensive areas have
been soaked with blood. Millions of
brave soldiers have fallen in battle a nd
millions have returned home as in
valids. Grief and sorrow fill almost
every house
CONSEQUENCES OF WAR
WEIGH HEAVILY on WORLD
not only upon the bclligcrcnt ma
tions but also upon neutrals. the de-
structire consequences Of the gigantic
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withdrawn from the production Of use
II objects. Europe, which formerly
Tas devoted to propagation of re-
liEion and civilization. which wa. try
ing Ia find solutions for social prob
lens and was the home OF science and
art and, all peaceful labor now re-
scmbles an immense war camp, in
which the achievements and works Of
many decades arc doomed To annihila-
ton.
Germany is carrying on war Of
defense against her enemies. which aim
at her destruction. She fights to as
sure the integrity OF her frontiers and
the liberty of the German nation for
the right which she claims To develop
freely her intellectual and economic
energies in peaceful competition and
on an equal footing with other nations.
All the efforts of their enemies are
unable 10 shatter the heroic armies of
the CTeutonic) allies which protect the
frontiers of their countries strength
ened by the certainty that the enemy
shall never pierce the iron wall
Those lighting on the front know
that they are supported by the whole
nation. which is inspired by love for
its country. and is ready for the great
est sacrifices and determined to defend
TO the last extremity the inheritance
Of industrial work and the social or
ganizations and sacred soil of the
country.
CERTAIN or OWN STRENGTH.
But SEIZED WITH PITY
Certain of our own strength, but
realizing Europc's sad future if the
war continues: seized with pity in the
race of the unSpeakablc misery of hu-
manity. the German empire. in accord
with her allies, solemnly repeats what
tho Chancellor already has declared n
year ago: that Germany lis ready 10
give peace to the world by setting be-
fore the whole vorld the question
whether or no it is possible to hnd a
basis for an Understandings
since the first day of the pontifc,l
reign. His Holiness, the Pope. has nm
Swervingly demonstrated in the most
generous fashion. his Solicitude for the
innumerabic victims OF this war. He
has alieviated the suffcrings and
ameli"ratcd the fate Of thousands of
men injured by this catastrophe In
sDired by the exalted ideas of his min
istry. His Holiness has seized every
opportunity in the interest OF hu-
manity 10 end so sanGuinary war
The imperial goverIEnent is frml;.
confident that the initiative OF the four
powers will find friendly welcome OH
the part OF Ills Holiness. and that the
work of peace can count upon the