New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-08-15
Benedict's Career
In Vatican a Long
Effort for Peace
From the Day Of His Elec.
ton Pope Has Striven
to End the War

Since his election, on September 3,
1914, the second month of the war,
Pope Benedict XIV has worked steadily
and earnestly for peace. He has seized
upon every opportune occasion for APP
pesls to the nation and to the clergy
and individual communications with
rulers.
On the day OF his election he spoke
Of the burden of responsibility thrust
upon zone frail brain" and expressed
his horror Of the conflict and his hope
for peace. A week later. four days
after he had assumed the burden in
earnest, a pastoral letter from him, in
the form OF an encyclical TO the epis-
copacy of the world, was published in
Rome.
In it rulers were exhorted 70 reflect
upon the normal sorrow and suffering
Of mortal life, TO put aside dissensions
and ito enter into a council Of peace"
with all speed. Although the cable and
wireless had carried the theme and
even quotations from this encyclical
TO the four corners Of the earth, the
Pope issued the encyclical formally on
November 16, and again the message
of peace was sent broadcast from the
Vatican.
Sought Christmas Truce
1t fell on stony ground. however, and
Benedict concentrated his efforts on OBJ
tanning a Christmas truce, which in it.
self might prove long step toward
peace. After indirect announcements
Of his purpose in Rome on December 8,
the Pope made public through Vatican
authorities" on December IL the fact
that the plan was failing lowing to the
opposition Of certain power"
Reports were current that both TuTr-
key and Russia had refused TO ac-
quiesce. II was said by the German
Official Press Bureau that Germany APP
proved Of the idea.
Nothing came Of the thinly yelled
though anonymous rebuke from the
Vatican and on the anniversary Of the
eve when celestial voices sounded over
the plains Of Palestine the pean OF
peace on earth; good will to men. Pope
Benedict XIV granted an audience in
which ne said: Tell them this is the
message of the Holy Father, Lay down
your arms"
Along hundreds Of miles OF battle
front huge guns Numbered through the
night the answer 10 this dramatic and
personal appeal
The Pope took up his difficult task
again on January lS, 1915, decreeing
that on February Z clerics and laymen
OF every Catholic church in European
lands should unite in services and
prayers for the restoration of peace.
March 81 was set as the day when sim
liar services should be held in all other
parts OF the earth.
Continues His Appeal
The first anniversary Of the outbreak
of the war was the next occasion which
presented itself. On July 2S, 1915. the
Pope, in recognition of that anniver.
sary, issued peace appeal to the world
and TO the rulers Of il. blessed be
nc who first extends the olive branch,
he said. land tenders his hand TO the
enemy in offering his reasonable condi-
tions OF peace"
Early in March, 1915, the pontif re-
iterated his cry for peace. Each bel
ligerent should clearly state his de-
sires," he said. "but should be ready
10 make necessary sacrifices OF pride
and particular interests"
Appeals TO nations and 20 individual
rulers were interpreted with the
broader efforts Of the Vatican ON
October 4, 1914. the name Day Of the
ate Francis Joseph Of A3stria- Hun
gary. the pope wrote to that ruler uTg