South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-07-27
Herr Erzberger Mentions Spe-
CifiC Documents to Prove
Contentious.
OVEUTUUES THROUGH VATICAN
Minister of Finance Promises
National Assembly More
important Revelations.
By Associated Press


BERLIN, July 26.-Mathias Err
berger. premier and minister of fin
ance. declared in the German ma
tional assembly today that Great
Britain and France made peace
overtures to Germany through the
Vatican in August. 1917, and that
Germany rejected them.
Documents TO support the state
ment were mentioned by Herr Err
berger. These included the text Of
a note from Monsignor Pachelh,
papal nuncio at Munich enclosing
what was said TO be a telegram
from the British minister at the
Vatican TO which France assented. |
Monsignor Pacelli, papal nuncio TO
Munich. on August -, 1917. ad-
dressed a note TO Imperial Chancel-
Tor Michaelis. enclosing a telegram
from the British minister at the
Vatican to the papaI secretary of
state. to which the French govern
ment assented. The British note,
Herr Erzberger explained. asked for
a German declaration for Belgian in
dependence and compensation and
inquired as TO what guarantees Ger
many would need for herself.
Chancellor Michaelis did not an
swer this note for four weeks, then,
on September "a he wrote that the
situation for giving such a declara-
ton was not yet sufficiently clear.
Promises More Information.
Herr Erzberger promised more
important revelations within a few
days. Monsignor Pacellis note said:
Il have the honor herewith TO
transmit 10 Your Excellency a copy
of a telegram FROM His EXcellency
the king of England's minister at
the Vatican, has handed 20 the car
dinal secretary of state. The French
government gives its assent to the
statements made in the afOremen-
toned telegram, and His Eminence
earnestly desires actively to con-
tinue his efforts for the speedy at
tainment OF just and lasting peace.
such as the imperial government has
shown a conciliatory readiness TO
accept;
Your excellency's attention is
particularly drawn 10 the point in
the telegram relative 10 Belgium
with a view To obtaining. hrst. a pos
tive declaring the imperial govern
mcnt's intentions with respect to
Belgium's complete Independence
and compensation 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 sat
isfactory effect. His Eminence thinks
an important step will have been
taken towards the further develop
ment OF negotiations AS a matter
OF fact the minister OF Great Britain
has already informed his govern
ment that the Holy See viii reply
10 the communications made in the
aforementioned telegram as soon as
IL has reached the imperial govern
ments reply.
Would Gain Thanks
1T may be permitted for my part
10 give expression 10 my firm con-
yiction that by using your influence
IN all highest quarters on behalf Of
the papal proposal and for this
peace work your eNceIlency VIII
gain the eternal thanks OF the IA
the land and the whole OF humanity.
II a conciIiatory reply be obtained
which can open up the prospect OF
peace negotiations"
Herr Erzherger said that this gov
eminent had asked permission 20
publish the contents of the British
dispatch. bur that such permission
had not yet been received.
The reading OF the note caused a
great sensation in the assembly In
commenting. Herr Erzberger said:
In 1916. Pres't Wilson used every
EFFORT 20 brinE about peace bat Mr..
Wilson's peace work was sabotaged
bv the proclamation of unrestricted
submarine warfare and at least
twice an honorable peace could have
been brought about but IiEht with
the military party both times pre-
vented d. AT the end OF September
was IN Munich The papal nunciC
CONTINUED OK PAGE FOUR)