Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-08-17

ut by the British foreign ofuce' anu
rs follows
To the leaders of the belliserent
peoples:
Since the beginning of our pontl-
ticate the horrors of a terrible war
let loose on Europe We Rave IN
view above everything three things
&c preserve: Perfect impartlallty
toward all belligerents as is suita-
BILE for Him who is the common
Father and who loves all His chill
dren with equal affection. Continu-
ally to attempt to do all the good
possible and that without exception
OF person. without distinction OF
nationality or religion as is dictated
TO us BY the universal law Oh
charity which the supreme spiritual
charge has confided to US with
Christ. Finally, as our pacific mis-
sion also requires us to omit noth-
ing as long as 1t was in our power,
which might contribute to hasten
the end of this calamity by trying
to lead people and their leaders to
more moderate resolution to hasten
a serene elaboration of peace just
and durable.
Whoever has followed our work
curing those three pdIILdl SS~A"
which have just passed has been
able easily to recognize that II we
have always remained faithful 10
our resolve of absolute impartiality
and to our attitude of benevolence
we have not ceased TO exhort the
. peoples and the belligerent brothers
again to become brethren, although
publicity has not been given to all
that we have done to attain this
very noble aim.
FIRST APPEAL NOT HEARD.
Toward the end of the first year
of the war we addressed to the
nations in conflict most lovely ex-
hortations and more, we Indicated
the part to be followed to arrive
at a stable and honorable peace for
ALL Unfortunately, our appeal was
not heard. and the war continued
desperately for another two years
with all it's horrors. 1t became even
more cruel and extended over the
earth, over the sea and in the air,
and one saw desolation and death
descended upon the cities without
defense, upon peaceful villages ana
on their innocent population, and
now no one can imagine how the
sufferings of all would be increased
and aggravated If other months, or.
worse still, other years, are about
to be added to this sanguinary
triennium.
Is this civilized world to be moth
ing more than field of death? And
Europe, once so glorious and so
f1ourishing, is it going as If stricken
by a universal madness to run to
the abyss and to lend it's hand to its
own suicide?
In such a terrible situation and
the presence of a menace so serious
we who have no particular political
aim, who do not listen to sugges-
tons or to the interests of any or
the belligerent parties, but are sole
ly compelled by a sentiment Of our
supreme duty as the common father
of the faithful, by the solicita-
ton of our children who implore our
intervention and our pacifying
work.
Through the voice even of hu-
manity and of reason we once more
emit the cry of peace and we re-
new a pressing appeal to those who
hold in their hands the destinies OF
nations. But in order no longer to
speak in general terms as the cir
cumstances had counselled US in the
past we now wish to make a more
concrete and practical proposal and
to invite the governments of the
belligerents to come to an agree
ment upon the following points
which seem to be a basis of a just
and durable peace, leaving to them
the task of analyzing and complet-
ing them.
First Of all the fundamental
points must 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
diminution of ornaments, according
to the rules and guarantees to be es-
tablished, in a measure necessary
sufficient for the maintenance of
public order IN each state. Then in
the substitution for armies, the in
stitution of arbitration with his
high pacifying function, according
to the rules to be laid down and the
penalties to be imposed on state
which would refuse either to sub
NIT a national question to arbitra-
. ton or to accept it's decision.
SUPREMACY OF RIGHT.
Once the supremacy of right has
thus been established all obsta cles
to the means of communication of
the peoples would disappear by as
surfing, by rules to be fixed later.
the true liberty and community Of
the seas, which would contribute to
the numerous causes of conflict and
would also open to all new sources
of prosperity and progress.
As to the damages to be repaired.
and as to the war expenses, we see
no other means of solving the ques-
tion than by submitting as a gener-
al principle the complete and recip-
rocal conformation which would be
justified moreover by the immense
benefit to be derived from disarma-
ment, so much so that no one will
understand the constitution of
similar carnage solely for reason
for an economic order.
If. for certain cases, there exist
particular reasons they would be
deliberated upon with justice and
equity. but these pacific agree
ments with the immense advan-
tages to be derived from them not
possible without a reciprocal res.
titution of the territory at present
occupied.
Consequently. on the part of Ger
many, the complete evacuation of