The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-07-27
GERMANY TWICE
DECLINED PEACE
Erzberger Tells Of Overtures
Britain and France Made
in August, 1917.
VATICAN USED AS MEDIUM
Minister Denounces Military
Party for Refusing and
Bringing Defeat.
VATICAN USED AS MEDIUM
By ths Assocsated Pre...

BY Ms Associated Press.
BERLIN. July 20 (delayed).-Peace
overtures to Germany by Great Brit
ain and France were made through
the Vatican in August. 1917, according
to the declaration Of Matthias Err
berger. vice-Premier and Minister of
Finance. in the German National AS
sembly to-day. These overtures. he
added. were rejected by Germany.
Monsignor Pacelli, papal nuncio to
Munich, on August 13, 1917. addressed
a note to Imperial Chancellor Mi
chaelis, enclosing telegram from the
British Minister at the Vatican to the
papal Secretary Of State to which the
French Government assented. The
British note. Herr Erzberger explained,
asked for a German declaration for
Belgian Independence and compensa-
ton. and inquired as to what guar
antees Germany would need for her
self.
Chancellor Michaelis did not answer
this note for four weeks. Then. on
September "a, he wrote that the situa-
ton for giving such a declaration was
not yet sufficiently clear.
Herr Erzberger promised more i'm
portant revelations within a few days
Monsignor Pacelli's note said:
IT have the honor herewith to trans
init to your Excellency copy Of a tele'
gram which his Excellency. the King
of Engiand's Minister at the Vatican
has handed to the Cardinal Secretary OF
State. The French Government gives Its
assent to the statements made in the
aforementioned telegram. and his. Emil
nence earnestly desires actively to con-
tinue his efforts for the speedy attain
ment of a Just and lasting peace. such
! as the imperial Government has shown
such a conciliatory readiness to accept
Compensation for Belgium.
''Your Excellency's attention is par
ticularly drawn to the point in the teie-
gram relative to Belgium. with view
to obtaining, firstly. a positive declara'
ton regarding the Imperial Govern
ments intentions with respect to Bel
| GUMS complete independence and com
pensation for damage caused Belgium
through the war; secondly, a DEFINITE
statement of guarantees for political
economic and military independence
which Germany desires.
"If these declarations have a satisfac
tory effect, his Eminence thinks an i'm
portant step will have been taken To-
| ward the further development of negotia
tions AS a matter Of fact the Minister
of Great Britain has already INFORMED
his Government that the Holy See will re
ply to the communications made In the
aforementioned telegram as soon as 4
! has received the imperial Government.
reply.
at may be permitted for my part Il
give expression to my flrm conviction
that using your influence In all 'highes
| quarters on behalf Of the papal propo
sal and for this peace work. your Excel
lency will gain the eternal thanks OF thu
fatherland and the whole OF humanit,
II a consiliatory reply be obtained which
can open up the prospect OF peace neSo
tiations"
Herr Erzberger said that the Govern
ment had asked permission to publish
| the contents OF the British despatch
but that such permission had not ye
been received.
Note Causes n Sensation.
The reading Of the note caused
great sensation in the Assembly. !,
commenting Herr Erzberger said:
"In 1915 President Wilson used ever!
effort to bring about peace. but Mr
Wilson's peace work was sabotaged b!
the proclamation OF Unrestricted sub
marine warfare, and at least twice a.
honorable peace could have been brough
about, but a hght with the militar.
party both times prevented It. At tn
end of September was In Munich. Tn
papal nuncio came to meet me, an
with tears in his eyes said: Now every
thing is lost. and for your poor father
land too
"The collapse Of Germany" continues
Herr Erzberger, was not brought abou
by revolution, but by madness Of tn
country's political and military authori
ties. by lack OF political weight on tn
part of the Conservatives and the su
preme army command. They intimi
dated and terrorized the Germai
people and are still pursuing these aims
We had to accept a peace OF violence be
cause that was the only way out
I'VE have undertaken the responsible
fly for their misdesds: II they wasl
their hands In innocency q hundre'
times with loud Noes they win no
free themselves Of their guilt. either be
fore us, before history or their owl
consciences."
Herr ErIberger concluded by pointin!
out the danger Of revolution menacinl
the whole of Europe. Five monarch
had been dethroned In this war with tn
greatest ease and there was every like
i,hood of this example becoming con
tagious. Statesmen who were not blin'
or dumb must perceive the dark despai
OF the people, must hear the angry rum
ble from the masses and must take thi
factor into account. he said.
BIames Military Masters.