New-York tribune., 1919-07-27
Allies Asked
Peace i'm 1917.
Erzberger Says
iells Assembly British
Note, Through Vatican,
Asked What. Guarantees
Germany Would Demand

BERLIN, July 26 (By The Associ-
ated ress).-Peace overtures to Ger
many by Great Britain and France
were made through the Vatican in
August, 1917, according to the decla-
ration of Matthias Erzberger, Vice
Premier and Minister of Finance. in
the German National Assembly yester-
day. These overtures, he added, were
rejected by Germany.
Monsignor Pacelli, Papal Nuncio A.
Munich, on August 13, 1917, addressed d
note to Imperial Chancellor Mi
chaeAs, lnclosing telegram from the
British Minister at the Vatican to the
rapal Secretary of State, to which tn.
French government assented. The
British note. Herr Erzberger ex
planned. asked for German declara-
tlon for Belgian independence and
compensation and inquired as to what
guarantees Germany would need for
herself AVA
Chancellor Michaelis did not answer
ehls note TOR four weeks Then. on
september "a, he wrote that the sYtu-
alton for giving such declaration
was not yet sufficiently clear.
Note From Vatican
Herr Erzberger promised more i'm
portant revelations within q few dsys
Mons'gnor Pacelli's note said:
Il have the honor herewith to
transmit to your excellency q COPY
OF telegram which his excellence
the King of England's Minister at
Cardinal Secretary of State. The
French government gives it's assent
TO the statements made in the afore-
mentioned telegram, and his emf
ence earnestly desires actively m
continue his efforts for the SPEEDY
attainment of a just and lasting
peace, such as the imperial govern
ment has shown such conciliatorv
readiness to accept.
Your ,excellency's attention is
particularly drawn to the point in
the telegram relative to Belgium,
with a view to obtaining, firstly. n
positive declaration regarding The
imperial governments intentions
with respect to Eelgium's complete
independence and compensation for
damage caused Belgium through the
war; secondly, definite statement
OF guarantees for political, economic
and military independence which
Germany desires.
Acted for Great Britain
If these declarations have sa+-
isfactory effect. his eminence thinks
an important step will have been
taken toward the further deyelon-
ment of negotiations. AS a matter
of fact, the Minister of Great Brit
ain has already informed his gov
eminent that the Holy See will re-
PLY to the communications made in
the aforementioned telegram as soon
as 1t has received the imperial gov
ernment's reply.
1t may be permitted for nv part
to give expression to my firm con-
vlction that by using your influence
IN az highest quarters on behalf Of
the Papal proposal and for this peace
work your excellency will gain the
eternal thanks Of the Fatheriand and
the Whole community If a concilia-
tory reply be obtained which can
open up the prospect of peace nego-
tiations"
Herr Erzberger said that tho gov
ernment had asked permission to pub
ish the contents of the British dis
patch but that such permission had
not yet been received.
h'ares Military Party
The reading of the note caused a
great sensation in the Assembly: In
commenting. Herr Erzberger said:
In 1916 President Wilson used
every eaort TO bring about peace, but
Mr.. Wilson'S peace work was sabo.
tagged by the proclamation Of unre-
sstricted submarine warfare. and a.
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 Septem
Der | was in Munich. The Papal
Nuncio came to meet me. and with
.ears .e IN his eyes said: Now every
thing is lost, and for YOUR moor
Fatherland, too F'-
The collapse of Germany" con-
tinued Herr Erzberger, was not
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