Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1922-05-06
POPE APPEALS
TO GENOA
Delegates Welcome Plea From
Vatican, Believing 1t Will Tend
to Modify Opposition at Home.
RUSSIA APPEALS TO FRANCE
Reds Send Note to PIacate French
6arthou is Assured No Secret Pact
Exists With Berlin; Express De-
sire for AmicabIe Relation.

Genon--popc Plus NJ sent note
10 all the powers assembled ut the
Genoa conference appealing To them
to adopt n ccnciliatory attitude toward
Russia and open the way to peaceful
relationship among all the nations OF
the world. The communication. sign
ed by Cardinal Gasparri. was handed
personally To the chief Of each de-
cation at the conference by special
courier from the Vatican just before
noon. II urges the necessity of n
worldwide understanding and indi-
Gates plainly the Supreme Pontiff's de-
sire that some agreement between
Russia and the western world be
reached nj the present gathering.
Coming at moment when the con-
ference is in the throes Of negotiations
ever the terms on which Russia may
re-enter the family of nations, the
Pope's appeal had strong reaction on
the delegates. They feel that it will
bring pressure for peace on them from
home, also. and that IL may serve to
clear away obstacles that So far have
been insurmountahle
Premier Lloyd George FASTENED To he
the first To issue n statement. declaring
that he was much pleased with the
Pope's appeal and greatly admired the
terms in which II was couched.
THE Pope speaks with first-hand
knowledge 81 the conditions existing
in eastern Europe" said the British
Premier. $50 clear and definite pro-
nouncement from the Holy See In
favor 81 cancellation to all the Chris
tian powers of Europe"
After church services Lloyd George
had lunch with Catholic dignitary
from Rome who is supposed TO have
been the Vatican's messenger.
a hopeful sign that the desire ex-
pressed by the Pope might he realized
was seen In n concillatory letter writ
ten by Georg Tchitcherin. chief Of the
Bolshevik delegation. To Louis Barthou.
Of the Paris group The Russian
leader asserted that ting Russo-German
treaty contained no secret military
clauses as the French have feared.
and assured Barthou that the Boil
shevik's delegates were most anxious
to cooperate with France. II misun-
derstandings could he removed, Tchit-
cherin said. II would he possible 10
make further treaties with other ma
tions. as Russia desired general accord
with all the powers. The note express
ed the opinion that the work of the
conference and the establishment of
stability in Eur pc would be hastened
If France and Russia could come TO
nm understanding
The Pope's appeal did not meet from
France the same enthusiastic response
that II did from the British. although
there Is no doubt that IL will have
favorable reaction on Catholic France.
The French delegation was dispO sed 10
he critical because the spirit of the
Ponifs communication was contrary
to the policy which the French have
been pursuing Although there was no
suggestion among the French that the
Pope was aiming NJ them particularly,
they did express the opinion that the
Holy Father had oh, sen II critical mo-
ment Ia exert pressure on all the ma
tlons nj Genoa in favor ~ an under
standing with Russia.
II was recalled In French circles that
several weeks ago report was circu-
lated that the liolShVik had entered
into an agreement with the Vatican
hy which Catholic missionary workers
might enter Russia unmoleSted and
carry on the teaching e their faith
among the peasants who formerly
we're followers nf the Russian ortho-
dux church under the Car. The Pope's
letter, therefore. cnunsring Il spirit of
Cancellation ward Russia WAS regard
cd by some outspoken French Catholics
here as possibly natural sequence of
events which can lead 10 the establish
ment of Catholicism in Russia.
Regret was expressed in some
French circles that the Pope's com
munlcation made no deprecatory al
fusion Ia the wrongs committed under
the Soviet regime In Russia.