Arizona republican., 1919-07-27
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LRepuhIlcan A.R.l Leased Mlre1

Republican A. p. Leased Wirel
 BERLIN. Friday July 25.-Peace )overtures 10 Germany by Great Britain tand France were made through the vatican in August 1917, Matthias Erz- iberger, vice premier and minister of Itional assembly today. He said Ger many rejected these overtures.
 Monsignor Pasell papal nuncio to Munich. on August 13 1917. addressed a note 10 Imperial Chancellor Michaelis lenclOsing a telegram from the British lminister at the Vatican 10 the papal ksecretary of state, to which the French government assented. The British note, kHerr Erzberger explained. asked for a Herman declaration of Belgian inde- Ependence and compensation and in Squired as to what guarantees Germany would need for herself. Chancellor Michaelis did not answer for four I-Weeks; then September IA he wrote tthat the situation for giving such a fdeclaration was not yet sufficiently clear.
 More Sensations Later
 Herr Erzberger promised more i'm portant revelations within a few days
 Monsignor Paselli's note said
 T have the honor herewith to trans unit to your excellency a copy of a tele- gram which his excellency, the king of tEnglands minister at the Vatican, has lhanded to the cardinal secretary of fstate. The French government gives s1ts assent to the statements made in ithe aforementioned telegram, and his leminence earnestly desires actively to continue his efforts for the speedy at tainment of a just and lasting peace such as the imperial government has shown a conciliatory readiness to ac- cept.
 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- 'tion regarding the imperial govern ments intentions with respect to Bel gium's complete independence and compensation for damage caused Bell Eium through the war; secondly. a definite statement Of guarantees for political, economic and military inde- pendence which Germany desires.
 Urged Acceptance of Terms
 If these declarations have a satis- factory effect his eminence thinks an important step will have been taken towards the further development of negotiations. AS a matter of fact. the minister of Great Britain has informed Ehis government that the Holy See will reply to the communications made in the aforementioned telegram as soon as it has received the imperial govern ment's reply.
 Tt may be permitted for my part to give expression to my firm conviction that by using your influence in all highest quarters on behalf of the papal proposal and for this peace work your sexcellency will gain the eternal thanks Nof the fatherland and the whole of hu- manity, if conciliatory reply be ob- ttatned which can open up the prospect Df peace negotiations"
 Herr Erzberger said that the govern 1nent had asked permission to publish the contents of the British dispatch, but that such permission had not been received.
 The reading of the note caused a great sensation in the assembly. In commenting. Herr Erzberger said:
 Tn 1916, President Wilson used every effort to bring about peace, but MT Wilson's peace work was sabotaged by the proclamation of unrestricted sub- marine warfere and at least twice an honorable peace could have been brought about. but a fight with the military party both times prevented it. At the end of September, I was in Munich. The papal nuncio came to me and with tears in his eyes said
 Military Madness Caused Downfall
 Now, everything is lost, and foi your poor fatheriand, too.
 The collapse of Germany" contin. 1ed Herr Erzberger was not brought about by revolution but by madness O. the country's military authorities by lack Of supreme army command These so-called authorities intimidateC and terrorized the German people anC are still pursuing these aims We haC 10 accept peace of violence becaus, that was the only way out.
 We have undertaken the responsi bility for their misdeeds; if they. wasf their hands in innocence a hundred times. with loud noes they will no free themselves of their guilt eithe before us, before history, or their owr consciences."