The sun., 1917-08-16
TEXT0F P0PE'S j
PEACE PETITION
Is MADE PUBLIC
London Foreign Office
Gives Out Copy Re-
ceived by King. \
- =,
PROPOSALS OUTLINED
"Is This Civilized World to
Be Nothing More Than
Field of Death"
FOR NO ANNEXATION
Evacuation of Belgium and
Northern France Urged
! by Holy See.
FOR NO ANNEXATION

LONDON, Aug. 15.-The Foreign Or
flee tonight issued the French text Of
the letter from the Pope to the King.
inclosing a copy Of his appeal to the
heads fthe belligerent peoples.
The Pope's appeal follows:
To the leaders of the belligerent
peoples
Since the beginning Of our pontifi-
cate. when the horrors of a terrible
war were let loose on Europe We
have had In view above everything
three things to preserve: perfect inn
partiality toward all belligerents, az
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 exception of person,
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 contribute to
hasten the end of this calamity by
ts'iS w ithu ptopIt anu tI16lT IedQ-
ers to more moderate resolution. and
to hasten serene deliberation Of a
peace just and durable.
Whoever has followed our work
during those three painful years
which have just passed has been able
easily to recognize that IL we had
always remained faithful to our re-
solve of absolute impartiality and to
our attitude OF benevolence we have
not ceased to exhort the peoples and
the belligerent brothers again to be-
come 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 ma
tions in conflict most lively exhorta-
tions; and more we indicated the part
to be followed to arrive at a stable
and honorable peace for ALL Unfortu-
nately 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 ex-
tended over the earth, over the sea
and in the air. and one saw desola-
ton and death descend upon the cit
les without defence. upon peaceful
villages and on, their innocent popu-
laton. and now no one can imagine
how the sufferings OF all would be in
creased and aggravated il other
months or, worse still. other years
are about to be added to this san
culinary triennlum.
Is this civilized world to be nothing
more than field of death? And Eu-
rope, so glorious and so fiourishing
s. . ~. ,,l. =.
sal madness to run the abyss and TO
lend its hand to its own suicide?
In such a terrible situat!o and in
the presence Of a menace SO serious
we who have no particular politica.
aim. who do not listen to suggestions
or to the interests of any of the bel
ligerent parties but are solely COM
PEELED by sentiment of our supreme
duty as the common father OF the
faithful. by the solicitat tion OF our
children who imp!ore our Intervention
and our pacifying word.
Through the voice even Of humanity
and Of reason we once more emit the
cry Of peace, and we renew 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 circumstances
had counselled 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 10
come to an agreement upon the follow
ing points. which seem to he basis
OF Just and durable peace leaving to
them the task Of analyyng and COM
pleting them.
Outlines Proposals.
First OF all the fundamental points
must be that the material force OF
arms he substituted by the moral force
OF right, from which shall arise a fair
agreement by all for the simultaneous
and reciprocal diminution of arma-
ment according to the rules and guar
| antees to be established, in a measure
necessary and sufficient for the main
tenance 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
aities to be imposed on a State which
would refuse either to submit n ma
tional question to arbitration or to ac-
| cept its decision.
Once the supremacy of right has
thus been established all obstacles to
| tue UltdHs ot VI Sh0
peoples would disappear by assuring.
by rules to be fxed later, the true
liberty and community OF the seas
which would contribute to the numer-
Gus causes OF conflict and would also
open - all new sources Of prosperity
and progress.
As to the damages to he repaired
and as to the war expenses we see nc
other means OF solving the question
than by submitting as n general prin-
cple the complete and reciprocal con-
donation. which would be justified
moreover by the immense benefit to be
derived from disarmament so much so
that no one will understand tho con.
tinuation of similar carnage solely fol
reasons of an economic order.
II for certain cases there exists par
,icular reasons they would he delib
Grated upon with justice and equity
but these pacific agreements with the
immense advantages to be derived
from them are not possible without Z