The Oklahoma City times. [volume] (Oklahoma City, Okla.) 1908-1984, 1917-08-16
TEXT OF POPE'S .PEACE PROPOSALS

n ONDON, Aug lo-Foowins is the text Of Pope
Benedicts appeal for peace as transmitted to the
~ king OF England
TO the Leaders OF the Belligerent Peoples
Since the beginning Of our pontifcate the horrors
OF terrible war have been let loose Europe
have in view above everything three things TO preserve
Perfect mparaliy toward all beigerents as is suit
able for Him who the common father and who loves
all Of His children with equal affection Continually
attempt to do all the good possible and that without
oeption OF person, without distinction Of nationality
reigio% a~S .-iicated to us by the universal law of
charity which the supreme spiritual charge has conded
with to Christ Finally as our pacific mission also
reqused TO omit nothing as long as 1t was in our power
which might contribute TO hasten the end OF this
lamity by trying to lead people and their leader, to
more moderate resolution to hasten serene dcibera-
tion OF peace just and durable.
Always Been Impartial
Whoever has followed work dur Ffg these three
painful years which have Just passed has been able
easily to recognize that il we have always remained
faithful to resolve OF absolute impartiaty and to
our attitude OF benevolence we have not ceased to es-
hort the peoples and the begerent brothers again TO
become brethren although publicity has been given
to all that We have done to attain th, very noble aim
Toward the end OF the first year OF the war
we addressed to the nations in conflict most lively
exhorations and more we indicated the part to
be followed to arrive at stable and honorable
peace for all Unfortunately our appeal was not
heard and the war continued desperately for an
other two years with all its horrors. II became
even more cruel and extended over the earth over
the sea and the air one saw desolaon and death
descend upon the cities without defense upon
peaceful villages and on their innocent population
and now no one can imagine how the suferngs
OF all would be increased and aggravated il other
months or worse still, other years are about to be
added TO this sangunary tricnniun
is this civilized world to be nothing more than
held Of DEATH and Europe so glorious and so
nouriShng, IS 1t going as II stricken by a universal
madness to run u the abyss and to lend its hand
to It's sucideI
In such terrible situation and in the presence OF
menace so serious we, who have no particular aim
who do not listen to suggestions or to the interests
OF any OF the belligerent parties. but are solely COM
peIled by sentiment OF our supreme duty as the
common father Of the faithful by the solicitation of
our children who mpore our intervention offer our
pacifyng work
More Concrete Proposal
through the voice even OF humanity and Of rea-
son we once more emit the cry OF peace and :cnew
pressing appeal TO those who hold in their hands the
deslines OF nations But in order no longer TO speak
IN general terms as the circumstances had counellcd
us IN the past, we now wish to make a more con-
crete and practical proposal and to invite the gov
ernmene OF the belliserent peoples to come to an
agreement upon the following points which seem to be
basis of JUS, and durable peace, leaving to them
the task OF analy,ng and completing them
First Of all the fundamental points must bc
that the material force Of arms be substituted
BY the moral force Of right from which shall arise
fair agreement by all for the simultaneous and
reciprocal dimnution OF armamsnts according to
the rules and guarantees to be established in 4
measure necessary and sufficient for the main
tsnAnce Of public order In each state. Thsn In the
substitution for armies the institution OF arbtra-
uon, with its high pacfying function sccordng to
the rule to be laid down and the penalties to be
imposed on 4 state which would refuse either to
submit . national question to arbitration or to
accept Its decision