The Parma herald. (Parma, Idaho) 1903-1917, 1917-09-27
Germany and Austria-Hun.
gary Reply to Pope's Peace
Proposals.
NO Terms Are Set Forth in Either
Answer, But Emperor Charles Con-
cedes Permanent Peace Depends
Upon Law Observance.

Amsterdam.-Th German govern
eminent, in its reply TO the peace note
OF Pope Benedict, copy of which has
been received here, "cherishes ii lively
desire" that the appeal may meet with
| success. Emperor William. the German
note says, has been following the ef-
forts Of the pope toward peace for %
/ considerable time with high respect.
The reply adds that the effort Of the
pope TO pave the way to an understand
ing might most surely be reckOued to
have a sympathetic reception from and
the whOIe-bearted support Of the Ger
man emperor since he has regarded it
as his principal and most sacred task
to preserve the blessings Of peace for
the German people and rhe world
German Reply
The text of the reply follows:
Herr Cardinal. Your erninence has
been good enough. together with your
letter Of August ,. 10 transmit to the
kaiser and king, my most gracious
4A'ttF'ANAT A4aE I'AF VI AllF' llp4lllF-NNs Altf
pope, in which his holiness. filled with
grief at the devastatiOns Of the world
war, makes an emphatic peace appeal
to the heads Of the belIigerent peoples
The kaiser-king has designed 10 az
quaint me with your eminence's letter
and to intrust the reply TO me.
His majesty has been following for
a considerable time with high respect
and sincere gratitude his holiness's eff
forts in spirit of true imparriality to
alleviate as far as possible, the SUI
ferings of the war and 10 hasten rhe
end of hostilities. The kaiser sees in
the latest step Of his holiness fresh
proof of his noble and humane feel
ings, and cherishes a lively desire that
for the benefit of the entire world the
papal appeal may meet with success.
Always for Peace.
The effort of Pope Benedict is TO
pave the way to an understanding
among all peoples, and might more
surely reckon on a sympathetic recep
ton and. the whole-hearted support
from his majesty, seeing that the kai-
ser since taking over the government
has regarded it as his principal and
most sacred task to preserve the
blessings of peace for the German peo-
pie and the world. In his first speech
from the throne at the opening Of the
German reichstag on June p, 1888,
the kaiser promised that his love Of
the German army and his position to-
ward it should never lead him into
temptation TO cut short the benefits
of peace unless war were a necessity.
forced on US by an attack on the EN-
pire or its allies. The German army
should safeguard peace for US and
should peace, nevertheless, be broken. |
it would be in a position to win it with
honor. The kaiser has by his acts
fulfilled the promise he then made in
twenty-six years of happy rule, despite
and temptations.
In the crisis which led to the pres
ent world conflagratiOn his majeSry'S /
efforts were up To the last moment di- |
rected toward settling the conflict by |
peaceful means. After the war had /
broken out. against his wish and de /
sire, the kaiser, in conjunction with
his high allies, was the first sOlemnly /
to declare his readiness To enter into /
peace negotiations. The German peO-
pie supported his majesty in his keen
desire for peace.
Germany sought within her national
frontier the free development Of her
spiritual and material possessions and
outside the imperial territory unhin-
dered competition with nations enjoy
ing equal rights and equal esteem. The
free play Of forces in the world in
wrestling with one another
would lead TO the highest perfecting
Of the nobleSt human possessions. Dis
lstrouS confederation of events in the
year 1914 absolutely broke off all hope
full course Of development and trans
formed Europe into bloody battle
arena.
Approaching the Importance Of his
declaration. the imperial ;
government has not failed TO submit /
he suggestion contained therein to-
earnest and scrupulouS examination. t
Special measures which the govern 1
nent has taken in closest contact with ,
OF the German people !
or discussing and answering the queS- ;
ions raised prove how earnestly it de '
;ires. in accordance with his holt 1
,eSs'S desires and the peace resolution I
# the reichstag on July -. to ind {
PRACTICAL basis for Just aud lasting {
,eaCe.
The imperial government GreetS
With special sympathy the leading idea L