The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1922-10-17

the Princess in switzerland, by my
Court Marshall, Freiherr Won Refs
chach, concerning Pinon, her silver
ware, and my care for her property.
No answer was received Instead, the
Princess had published in the French
press letter to the effect that Gen
eral Won Kluck had stolen all her
silver
On account of my care and the self
sacrificing work of German art experts
and soldiers-partly at the risk of
their nyes-art treasures worth bill
limos were preserved for their French
owners and for French towns This
was done by the Huns, the bochesl
In the Summer of 1917 / received at
Kreuznach visit from the Papal Nun
clio, Pacelli, who was accompanied by
chaplain. Pacelli is a distinguished,
likeable man, of high intelligence and
excellent manners, the perfect pattern
of an eminent prelate of the Catholic
church. He knows German well enough
to understand it easily when he hears
it, but not sufficiently to speak it
with f1uency.
Our conversation was conducted in
French, but the Nuncio now and then
Il
speech. The chaplain spoke German
| fluently and took part-eVen when not
asked-in the conversation, whenever
he Jared that the Nuncio was becom-
ing to much influenced by what l said.
! Very soon the conversation turned
on the possibilities Of peace mediation
and the bringing about of peace, in
which connection all sorts of projects
and possibilities were touched upon,
discussed and dismissed.
Finally, l suggested that the Pope
should make an effort, seeing that my
peace offer of December II, 1916, had
been rejected in such an unprecedent-
ed manner. The Nuncio remarked
I that he thought such a step would be
attended with great difficulties; that
the Pope had already been rebuffed
when he had made certain advances
in this direction; that, aside from this,
the Pope was absolutely in despair
on account of the slaughter and wonder
ed ceaselessly how he might help to-
ward freeing the world and European
culture from the scourge of war. Any
suggestion as to this, he added, would
be most valuable to the Vatican.
/ stated that the Pope, as the high
COT III din dD1OuS oil Iu6 DiICSlS VI
the Roman Catholic Christians and
church, should first of all seek to issue
Instructions to his priests in all count
ries to Danish hate, once for all, from
their minds, since hate was the great
est obstacle in the path of the peace
idea; that it was, unfortunately, true
that the clergy in the Entente
countries were, to a positively fright
fnl CT nd o~d hoo nd
instigators of hate and fighting.
| / called attention to the numerous
reports from soldiers at the beginning
of the war concerning abbes and parish
priests captured with arms in their
hands; to the Vaccinations of Cardinal
MERCER and the Belgian clergy, mem
bers of which often worked as spies
to the sermon of theProtestant Bishop
of London, who, from the pulpit, glor.
flied the "Baralong" murderers; and
to other similar cases. l added that
it would be, therefore, great achieve.
ment if the Pope should succeed in
having the Roman Catholic clergy in
all the countries at war condemn hat.
red and recommend peace, as was al
ready being done by German clergy, be
lit from the pulpit or by means OF
pastoral letters.
Urged PapaI IntercessIon
Pacelli found this idea excellent and
worthy of attention, but he remarked
that it would be difficult to enlist the
efforts of the various prelates in its
support. I replied that, in view of the
severe discipline of the hierarchy Of
the Roman Catholic church, l could
not imagine that, if the Pope should
solemnly call upon the prelates of the
church to preach reconciliation anC
consideration for the foe those o.
any country whatsoever should refuse
obedience; that the prelates, on &C
count of their eminent rank, were
above all parties, and, since reconcile
iation and love of our neighbor were
fundamental principles of the Christ
ian religion, they were absolutely il
duty bound to work toward making
people observe these principles.
Pacelli agreed to this and promised
, to give the idea his earnest attention
: and report it to the Vatican. In the
[ further course of the conversation, the
/ Nuncio asked what form-beyond The
purely ecclesiastical step suggested BY
: me-the brinning about of peace posi-
| bilities through the intervention of the
J Pope might take. l pointed out tina
: Italy and Austria were two Roman
: Catholic States, upon which the Pop,
| could bring influence to bear easily
, and effectively; that one of these land,
r was his native country and place O
residence, in which he was greatly re
f vered by the people and exerted direc
/ influence upon his fellow-countrymen
: that Austria was ruled by a sovereign
f who actually bore the title apostolic"
E who, with all his family, had direct re
c lations with the Vatican and wa
: among the most faithful adherents O
!, the Catholic church; that was, there
fore, of the opinion that it would no
: be difficult for the Pope to try witt
/ these two countries and cause then
!. to talk peace.
/ added that the diplomatic skill an,
5 wide vision of the Vatican wer
known the world over; that, if one
b a beginning were made in this way
: and 1t had good chance of success
/ the other powers could scarcely re
5 fuse an invitation from the Vatican
+ later on to an exchange of views
n which should be, at first not bindin
e upon them.
The Nuncio remarked that it woul
/ be difficult for the Vatican to max
/ the Italian Government agree to sue,
civ - Lol