Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1917-08-22
TEXT Of PEACE
APPEAL BY Pope
Message to U. S. Comes Through
King George.
RULER ACTS AS INTERMEDIARY
Pontiff lmpIores Divine Counsel and
Urges Boundaries as Before War
and Disarmament as Chief
Primary Basis.


from the pope TO the king, inclosing a
copy of his appeal TO the heads of the
belligerent peoples. This is the letter
to the king accompanying the appeal:
Your majesty, the holy father, anx-
ious to do everything he can in order
to put an end TO the conflict which for
the last three years has ravaged the
civilized world, has decided TO submit
to the leaders of the belligerent peo-
pies concrete peace proposals exposed
In document which / have the honor
to attach to this letter. May God grant
that the words of his holiness will this
time produce the desired effect for the
good of the whole of humanity.
King Requested to Forward Plea.
THE holy see, not having diplomatic
relations with the French government,
or with the government of Italy or the
United States, l very respectfully beg
your majesty 10 be good enough to
have handed copy of his holiness
appeal to the president of the French
republic, to his majesty the king of
Italy, and to the president of the
United States. l also beg to add u
other copies which l request your maj
esty to be good enough to hand to the
leaders of the nations friendly to the
allies, with the exception. however, of
Russia Belgium and Brazil, to whom
the document has been sent direct.
TN expressing to your majesty my
sincere thanks for this extreme kind
ness, I am happy TO take the oppor-
tunity to offer you the homage of SEN
timent, very profound respect with
which ! have the honor TO sign myself
your majesty's very humble and de-
voted servant, GASPARRI,
'Papal Secretary of State"
Text Of Appeal Made by Pope.
TIL pope's appeal follows:
ITO the leaders of the belligerent
peoples:
'Since the beginning of our pontifi-
cate, with the horrors Of terrible war
let loose on Europe, we have in view
above everything three things TO pre-
serve:
Perfect impartiality toward all bel
ligerents as is suitable for him who is
the Common Father and who loves all
his children with equal affection.
Continually TO attempt TO do all the
good possible and that without excep-
ton of persOp, without distinction of
nationality or religion as is dictated to
US by the universal law of charity
which the supreme spiritual charge
has confided TO US with Christ.
Finally, as our pacific mission also
requires, to omit nothing as long as it
was in our power which might con-
tribute to hasten the end of this
calamity by trying TO lead people and
their leaders TO more moderate resolu-
ton, to hasten a serene deliberation of
a peace Just and durable.
Vatican Shows No Partially.
Whoever has followed our work
during those three painful years which
have just passed has been able easily
to recognize that if we have always re-
manned faithful TO cur resolve of alb
solute impartiality and to our attitude
of benevolence, we have not ceased to
exhort the people and the belligerent
brothers again to become brethren. al
though publicity has not been given to
all that we have done 10 attain this
very noble aim.
us this civilized world 10 be moth
ing more than field of death? And
Europe, so glorious and so flourishing,
fc ~
sal madness. to run to the abyss and
to lend its hand to its own suicidef
Through the voice even of human
ity and of reason we once more emit
the cry of peace and we renew a press
ing appeal to those who hold in their
hands the destinies of nations
Basis for Durable Peace Suggested.
But in order no longer TO speak In
general terms as the circumstances
had counseled us in the past, we now
wish to make more concrete and prac-
teal proposals and TO invite the gov
ernments of the belligerent peoples to
come to an agreement upon the follow
ing points which seem to be q basis of
a just and durable peace, leaving to
them the task of analysing and com
plotting them.
First of all, the fundamental points
smust be that the material force of
arms be substituted by the moral force
of right from which shall arise a fair
agreement by all for the Simultaneous
and reciprocal dininution Of arma-
ments according to the rules and guar
antees to be established, in meas
ure necessary and sufficient for the
maintenance of public order in each
state.
Then in the substitution for armies
the institution of arbitration, with its
high pacifying function. according to
the rules to be laid down and the pen
alties TO be ir1posed on q state which
would refuse either 10 submit a ma
tional question to arbitration or to ac-
cept its decision.
"Once the supremacy Of right has
thus been established. all obstacles 10
the means Of communication of the
peoples would disappear by assuring,
by rules TO be fixed later, the true lib