New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1919-05-18
pontif ill For
ward German Prel-
ates' Petition to
Entente Mission
Softening of
Treaty Sought
Holy See Hopes to
Obtain Pact Ac-
ceptable to Berlin

< ROME, May II (By The Associ-
ated Press) Pope Benedict, with a
view to cooperating in the speedy re-
establishment of lasting and hu-
manitarian peace throughout the
world, has taken steps to commune
cate an appeal from the Allied peace
terms, signed by the entire German
Episcopacy, to one Of the most i'm
portant delegations at the peace
conference. The Pope's purpose is
to have the treaty conditions i'm
posed on Germany so modified as to
make them acceptable.
The appeal from the German
prelates prayed for the Pope's good
Offices to mitigate the conditions for
peace, which, the plea says, are "im-
possible to fulfil"
The Pope's first suggestion since the
Armistice concerning peace was re-
ported to have been addressed to the
Allied nations on March ii. At that
time he was said to have urged that
the signing Of the treaty be hastened
because Of internal upheavals in Ger
many and the fear that Bolshevism
might cause the downfall of orderly
government in the former German
Empire.
From the time Of his elevation to the
pipacy, on September 8, 1914, the sec
ord month Of the war, Benedict
worked steadily for cessation of hos
tlities. A week after his election he
sent an encyclical letter to the episco-
paey Of the world in which he urged all
rulers TO enter into a Council of
peace In the following December he
sought a Christmas truce, and early
the next year he designated February
as day of prayer for the restora-
ton OF peace.
On the first anniversary of the out
oreas OF the war the Pope again ap-
pealed for peace, and in May, 1916, he
sent letter to President Wilson urg-
ing 'nat the President offer to inter
sehe to end the war. In January, 1917,
the Pope sent another note to Presi-
cent Wilson commencing the Presi-
cents peace note of that time.
Pope Suggested Peace
on August 16, 1917, more than four
Months after the United States entered
'ae war, the Pope made peace pro-
posal IN which he suggested that an
ss'eement be reached on a reduction
'l armaments and the establishment
q the principle of arbitration. He
'nen proposed that France and Bel
s.aa be evacuated; that the questions
" damages and cost Of the war be set
=. .;sa on the basis OF reciprocal condi-
.''as' and that territorial problems
~ solved in conciliatory spirit, with
sus regard to the aspirations of the in
@p''ants Of the regions affected.
Mpiying for the United States, Sec
.s.ssy Lansing declared that 1--WE can
.s' ~ saSe the word of the present rulers
~ y Germany for anything; asserted
"a s:ss the United States sought no mate
~ ~ advantage from the war and that
punitive damages, the dismember-
.s.ns Of empires, the establishment of
s.'ash and exclusive economic leagues,
oeem inexpedient, and in the end
.siss tnan futile, no proper basis for
peace Of any kind, least Of all for an
sadaring peace
me replies Of Germany and Austria
~. ss,e similar, each supporting the prin-
.'y'ss OF arbitration, reduction of
ns.asments ~ and freedom Of the seas.
S'her problems we're NOS mentioned.