The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1919-07-30
q -.
VAR LORDS
RUINED GERMAN
They Rejected Peace overtures
Of England and
France
oTFER CAME
THROUGH VATICAN
fzberger Makes Sensational
Revelations to Weirner As
senbly


Jected by Germany.
Monsignor Pacelli, papal nuncio to
Munich on August Is, 1917. addressed
a note to the imperial chancellor,
Michaeilis, inclosing a 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 explain
ed. asked for German declaration for
Belgian independence and cempensa-
tion, and inquired as to what guaran-
tees Germany would need for herself.
Chancellor Michaelis did not answer
tember "a, he wrote that the situa-
ton for giving such a declaration was
NOT yet sufficiently clear.
Herr Erzberger promised more i'm
poytant revelations within a few days.
Monsignor Pacel1i's note said:
3 81 have the honor herewith to trans
initato your excelency, copy of a
telegram which. his excellency. the
king :of England's minister at the
vatican. has handed to the cardinal
Secretary Of State. The French gov
ernmeHt gives its, assent TO the state
glADts made inil the aforem entioned
tsisgxam and his. enainsnce earnestly.
desires actively to continue his eff
f0rfssfors the speedy attainment Of q,
sIasssing peace such as the
iUueEial government has, shown such
aE6nciliat tory ,read diness to accept.
, e Your exceliency's attention is par
ticutarW drawnto the point in the
telegram relative ito Belgium with a
view to- obtaining, firstly. a positive
declaration regarding the imperial
goyernrnent' intention with respect to
Belgium s. complete independence
and compensation for damage caused
Belgium through the war; secondly,
asdeanite statement of guarantees for
political. economic and military inde-
psndence which Germany desires.
s.fs these declarations have a salts
factory effect. his e1ninence thinks an
important step Will have been taken
towards the further development of
negotiations. AS matter Of fact the
minister of Great Britain has already
informed his government that the holy
see will reply to the communications
made in the aforementioned telegram
as soon as it has received the I'M
periaa governments reply.
AfIt may be permitted for my part
to give expression to my frn, convtc-
ason that fhy using your influence to
all highest quarters. in behalf OF the
oapal proposal and this peace work
your excellency will gain the eternal
: thanks OF the fatherlaHd and the
whole of humanity, if a conciliatory
reply be obtained which can open up
the prospect OF. peace negotiations.
Herr Erzberger said that the gov-
sernment had asked permission u
publish the contents of the British
dispatch but that such permission
had not yet been received.
The reading of the note caused
great sensation i'll the assembly. In
commenting Herr Erzberger said:
"In 1916 President Wilson used
every effort to bring about peace, but
Mr.. wilson's peace work was abso-
tagged by the proclamation of unre-
stricted submarine warfare. and at
least twice an honorable peace cou.d
have been brought about. but fight
with the military party both times
prevented it. At the end of Septem-
Der, I was in Munich. The Tapai
ntlncio came to me and with tears III
his eyes said: Now everything IS lost
and for your poor fatherland, too.' :"
..'The collapse of Germany" con-
tinued Herr Erzberger, was rot
brought about by revolution hu! by
madness of the country's political
and military authorities. by Lack Of
political insight on the part Of the
conservatives and the supreme army
command. These socailed authorities
intimidated and terrorized rhc Ger
man people and are still pursuing
these aims We had to accept a
peace of violence because that WAS
the only way out.
: I'VE have undertaken the responsi-
bility for their misdeeds. if they wash
their hands in innocency hundred
times, with loud noes they will rot
free themselves of their guilt. either
before us, before history. or their
own consciences."
Her Erzberger concluded by point
ing out the danger of revolution
menacing the whole Of Europe. Five
monarchs have been dethroned in this
war with the greatest ease. and
there was every likelihood Of this
example becoming contagious. States
men who were not blind Or dumb
must perceive the dark despair OF the
& neople. must hear the angry rumble