Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-08-17
POPE'S PEACE PLEA
RECEIVED IN ENGI AND
Foreign Office Issues French Text of Letter From Hi
Holiness to the King Incosing Copy of His APP
peal to Heads of Belligerent Peoples.
fBy Associated Press.1

tBy Associated Press.1
LONDON, August 16.-The Foreign
Office tonight issued the French toxt
of the letter from the Pope to the King
inclosing a copy OF his appeal to the
heads Of the belligerent peoples. 1t
follows:
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 ravaEed the
civilized world, has decided to submit
10 the leaders Of the belligerent peo-
plies 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 r.,e>', 49,.
the good of the whole OF humanity.
The Holy See. not having diploma
tic relations with the French govern
ment or with the government Of Italy
or the United States. I very respectfully
beg Your Majesty to be good enough
to have handed copy of His Holiness's
appeal to the President Of the French
republic, to His Majesty. the King of
Italy. and to tho President of the
United States. / also beg to add twelve
other copies which I request Your Ma
jesty 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.
In expressing to Your Majesty my
sincere thanks for this extreme kind
ness / 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 Majessy's very humble and de-
voted servant.
(SisneO "GASPARRI"
APPEAL TO LEADERS
OF BELLIGERENT PEOPLES
The appeal follows:
ITO the Leaders Of the Belligerent
Peoples:
Since the beginning OF our ponti-
ficate the horrors of a terrible war let
loose on Europe We have in view above
everything three things TO preserve:
Perfect impartiality towards all beliiE-
erents as is suitable for him who is the
common father. and who loves all his
children with equal affection. Contin-
uai!y TO attempt TO do all the good
possible, and that without exception of
person, without distinction OF national
ty or religion as is dictated 10 US by
the universal Law OF charity which the
supreme spiritual charge has confded
20 US with Christ Finally as our paci-
&c mission also requires TO omit moth
!as as II was in our power which
Nigh, contribute 20 hasten the end OF
This Calamity by trying TO lead people
AID their leaders TO more moderate
resolution 10 hasten a serene delieera-
HON Of peace just and durable
Whoever has followed our work
during those three painful years which
have just passed has been able easily
10 recognize that Il we had Away:
remained faithful 10 our resolve Of ab.
sc!ute inpar,!siity. and 10 our attitude
.! beaevo!tace, We have not ceased &c
erho-: tie peoples and the beiligeren,
brothers again 10 become brethren. al.
though publicity has not been given
10 a. ,ha, re have done TO attain ,hi:
very noble aim.
APPEAL IN FIRST YEAR
UNFORTUNATELY NOT HEARD
Towards the end OF the hrst year Of
the war we addressed 20 the nations II
aANSS tN'S.J aNC
| more. we indicated the part 70 be fol-
! lowed TO arrive al stable and honor,
ao.c peace for all. Unfortunately GU,
appeal was not heard and the war con.
tinued desperately for another two
years. with a.! its horrors 1t became
even more cruel and extended over the
earth. over the sea and in the air. and
one saw desolation and death descend
| peaceful! villages and on their innocen,
population. and now one can imagine
how tie srIerings OF all would be in.
creased and aggravated II other months
or. worse still. other years. are abou,
TO be adced TO this sanguinary tr!en.
mum
rs this civilized world TO be no.h,nr
more than a field OF death? And Europ,
SO glorious and SO aourishing, is II
going. as II stricken by a universal
madness TO run TO the abyss and tc
lend its hand to its own suicide?
I'm such a terrible situation as in III,
presence OF a menace SO serious. W,
who have no particular political aim
who do not listen to suggestions or I,
the Interests of any OF the belliceren
parties. but are solely compelled by :
sentiment Of our supreme duty as III,
common father OF the faithful, by th
solicitation OF our children who i'm
plorr our intervention and our pacity
ing work.
REN;WS PRESSING APPEAL
TO LEADERS OF NATION
Through the voice even of hui
ranity and OF reason we once NOR
emit the cry Of peace. and we rene,
a pressing appeal to those who hol
in their hands the destinies of nation:
But in order no longer to speak i
general terms as the circumstances ha
counseled us in the past, we now wisl
70 make more concrete and practica