Evening star., 1944-06-03
The Pope's Address

Cardinals, Pope Plus XII dealt with
two aspects OF the war which are
not closely related, but which are of
very great Importance.
One section of the talk was de-
voted to re-assertion of his concern
for the security Of Rome. This is a
concern which is shared by the civ
llized world, and the leaders of the
Allied nations have given plain indi-
cation of their earnest desire that
the Eternal City not become battle
ground. When all is said and done.
however, 1t seems clear enough that
1t Is the Germans who have the
real power of decision in the matter.
The Pope says he cherishes the hope
that Rome will "in all cases and at
Whatever cost" be preserved from
becoming a theater OF war. But that
is hope which must be predicated
on the assumption that the Nazis
Will not seek to use the, disinclina-
ton OF the Allies to attack Rome
for their own military advantage
With the campaign in Italy at such
a crucial stage, 1t is hardly to be ex-
pected that the Allied commanders
will permit the enemy to convert
Rome into an untouchable fortress
city, or to use Rome's essential
transportation routes for the safe
evacuation Of the German Tenth
and Fourteenth Armies.
The Pope's second and more
cryptic comment on the conduct of
the war had to do with ultimate
objectives, the conditions upon
which peace eventually may be had.
Since there was no suggestion of a
possible Axis victory, his observa-
tlons on this matter presumably were
directed to the Allies. The Pope said
that many persons, and this term
presumably includes himself. fear
the theory of full victory or COM
plete destruction" A fear of the
enemy's determination ito DESTROY
national life down to the roots" he
added, brings about = a "cour-
age OF desperation" which may be
expected to prolong the war.
This Is curious language Ia he
employed by so informed and emf
nent man. If it be held meaningful.
IL permits OF but one Interpretation:
That the Allies, in the Pope's judg-
ment, intend to destroy the national
life OF Germany down to the roots
There is ambiguity in this, for the
Pope did not say what he meant by
the words national life" For the
generality of mankind, however. the
inference will be that the Allies in
tend to destroy Germany as nation.
1t might we'll be asked what there
Is IN the record to support this i'm .
plicit accusation. At Teheran the
heads of the three major Allied ma
tions asserted: mo power on earth
can prevent our destroying the
German armies by land, their u
boats by sea and their war plants
from the air. Our attacks will be
relentless and increasing" Clearly
the Allied chieftalns were talking
there about the complete destruc-
ton OF German military power and
German capacity to commence new
wars. not the national life" OF
Germany. In the next sentence the
Allied leaders declared that they
looked forward with confidence tc
the day when "all the peoples of the
world may live free lives untouched
by tyranny and according to Their
varying desires and their own con-
sciences" Whatever that may imply
for the future of the Nazi despots
there is nothing in the language te
deny hope to the people of Germany
or to fill them with the courage
of desperation" for a long anc
ruinous fight.
These are critical days. On thu
eve OF invasion even the spoker
word may conceivably influence tn.
decision. The armies which will bt
fighting TO free the world from {