Lincoln County times. (Jerome, Idaho) 1911-1919, 1917-08-23
TEXT OF PONT|FFS
PEACE PROPOSAL
URGES INDEPENDENCE OF BEL
GUM, EVACUATION OF FRANCE
AND RETURN OF COLONIES.
Disarmament Would Be Such a Boon
That Indemnities Would Not Be
Needed, Says Pontiff-Freedom
of the Seas Is Recommended.

!
letter from the pope to the king ir
closing q copy Of his appeal to tn
heads of the belligerent peoples. n
follows:
Your majesty, the holy father
anxious to do everything he can il
order to put an end to the conflic
which for the last three years In
ravaged the civilized world. has de
cided 10 submit to the leaders of tn,
belligerent peoples concrete peac,
proposals exposed in documen
which l have the honor to attach [,
this letter. May God grant that tn,
words of his holiness will this tim,
produce the desired effect for tn,
good of the whole of humanity.
THE holy see not having diplomatic
relations with the French government
or with the government of Italy or the
United States, l very respectfully beg
your majesty to be good enough to
have handed copy of his holiness ap.
peal to the president of the French re-
public, to his majesty, the king of
Italy, and to the president of the
United States.
Il also beg to add twelve other
copies, which l request your majesty
to be good enough to hand to the lead
ers OF the nations friendly to the al
lies, 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, I am happy to take the oppor-
tunity to offer your the homage of
sentiment, very profound respect
with which l have the honor to sign
myself your majesty's very humble and
devoted servant.
"(Signed) GASPARRI.
Text of Appeal.
ITO the leaders of the belligerent
peoples:
Since the beginning of our pontifi-
cate, the horrors of q terrible war
being let loose on Europe. we have in
view above everything three things
to preserve: Perfect impartiality to-
ward all belligerents, as is suitable for
him who is the common father and who
loves all his children with equal affec-
ton. Continually to attempt to do all
the good possible and that without ex-
ception 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 us TO
omit nothing as long as it was in our
power which might contribute to
hasten the end of tbs calamity by try
Ing TO lead people and their leaders to
more moderate resolution to hasten a
serene elaboration of a peace just and
durable.
whoever has followed our work
during those three painful years which
nave just passed has been able easily
to recognize that if we have ALWAYS
remained faithful to our resolve of
absolute impartiality and to our at
tltude 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.
Toward the end of the first year
OF the war we addressed to the ma
tons in conflict most lively exhorta-
tons. and more, we indicated the part
to be followed to arrive at a stable
ana honorable peace for all. Unfor- |
our appeal was not heard and |
the war c0ntinuad dacparo+o1,- e.. -.
other two years, with all its horrors. 1t
became even more cruel and extended
over the cath, over the sea and in the
air, and one saw desolation and death
descend upon the cities without de-
Tense, upon peaceful villages and on
their innocent population, and 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
triennium.
us this. civilized world to be moth
ng more than field of death? And
Europe, so glorious and so Furnishing.
S it going as if stricken by a universal
madness to run to the abyss and to
euu us Ian0 10 It's own Suicidel
Cries Peace Once More.
In such a terrible situation and in
he presence of a menace so serious.
We have no particular political aim.
nd do not listen to suggestions or to
he interests of any of the belliger-
mt parties, but are solely compelled
y a sentiment of our supreme duty
S the common father of the faithful.
y the solicitation of our children
Tho implore our Intervention and our
acifying work.
Through the voice even of human
y and of reason we once more emit
he cry of peace, and we renew a
ressing appeal to those who hold in
heir hands the destinies of nations.
tut in order no longer to speak in :
eneral terms as the circumstances had
ounselled us in the past, we now wish
make more concrete and practical l
and to invite the govern
tents of the belligerent peoples to :
)me to an agreement upon the follow :
lg points, which seem to be a basis Il