POPE'S APPROACH TO EUROPEAN POWERS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 108, 10 May 1939, Page 11

POPE'S APPROACH TO EUROPEAN POWERS.

MEDIATION MOVE. Conference Of Nations To Solve Problems. MIXED RECEPTION GIVEN. ml ml Press Associntinn.—Opyrlehr. (flfoolvoil 11 n.m.) LONDON, May n. Aiifhoritathr roporlx from KuroI ciin capital-- confirm that tho Pope h;is been very active, in the last ton diiys rndeav.Hiring to suggest, a parifli! settlement of international problems. The British t'nited Press eorresponilent in Viitican City says it is ofliciallv cnnflrnied that, the ['ope is trying to pmmote n. solution of (lie licrmario--I'i.lish (li-piitc. buf it. is denied that he Hii-rgented nr is a live-Power (■(inference. If U pointed out that his Holiness think* more could be achieved through diplomatic channels. The Holy See procedure in this connection is usually confined "to diplomatic persuasion and moral pressure," thoujrh it is possible for the Pope, to act as a, mediator if the disputants requested it. It in learned in T'aris that the Papal (iftieiiils were instructed |n«t week-end In ninke. diplomatic representations in London, .Paris. Merlin. Koine and Warsaw, as a result of which Britain and Franco are reported to be consulting Poland. France Non Committal. It is stated that M. Bonnet's reply to the Papal Nuncio was non committal, pending Cabinet consideration. The Jesuit, Father Peitro Taeehiventnri, who was most prominent in the settlement of the State and Church (|iiarrel in l!) 20, is reported to bo acting n* the Pope's intermediary in Rome with Hijrnor Mussolini. It is semi-ofticiallv stated in Berlin that Archbishop secret visit to Herchtespaden on May ."> concerned the Polish situation. Well-informed circles in Warsaw point out that Poland is strongly Catholic and would not sharply reject proposal* from the Vatican, though she would probably want mi understanding with Britain and France thnt, any conference would not lie similar to Munich. The Apostolic Delegate in London, Monsifjnor Godfrey, visited Viscount Halifax. Visit to Lord Halifax. An Indepedent Cable Service message says Whitehall admitted that Monsignor (iodfrey saw Lord Halifax to hand over ii Papal message, but it is claimed that in view of Moimignor Godfrey's iioniliplomatie status, he is unable to discuss or reveal the contents. It is learned, however, that Monaignor Godfrey handed over a suggestion from the Pope for a five-Power (Britain, France, Italy, Germany and Poland) conference regarding Danzig and the Polish Corridor. The British United Press ParTs correspondent says it is reliably reported that the Pope lias suggested that the time might be ripe for mediation between France and Italy by a conference of interested Powers at the Vatican. France in lukewarm, contending that normal diplomatic channels arc still open. Herr Hitler is reported to be not antagonistic regarding the suggested mediation between Germany and Poland, but a. five-Power conference is regarded us very unlikely. HONESTY OF APPEAL. Hitler And Ribbentrop Discuss Pope's Moves. ACCEPTANCE UNLIKELY. ♦Received 11.30 a.m.) LONDON, May 9. "The Times" Berlin correspondent "Hye the Pope's peaco moves formed one of the chief subjects of the discussions between Herr Hitler and Herr von Ribbentrop at Berchtesgaden. Official .opinion indicates that Germany i» at least prepared to acknowledge the honesty of the Vatican moves and will not treat them as President Roosevelt's message was treated. The Nazis dinlike international conferences, and that makes acceptance of any such proposals unlikely. The British United Press Paris correspondent says MM. Daladier and Bonnet discussed the Pope's representations, which are described as not of a concrete character, but rather in the nature of •ingestions.

ITALY'S LEADERS. Rapid Preparation Of Army Discussed. CROWN PRINCE PRESENT. LONDON, May 9. An official statement issued in Rome Inst night after a meeting of Italian Army chiefs, including Crown Prince Umberto, Mnrshal Rarloglio, Chief of tho General Staff, Marshal fJraziani, and general Pnrinni, Chief of the Army , Mtnff, was as follows: — "Tlio Biilijprts discussed wore the measures already taken and about to be taken for the rapid preparation of the "tuff, tho rapid rate at which the "■■'pinisation of the Frontier Army is Mnff perfected, and the measures beinjr taken to put the army in a state of entire readiness."

BIG INCREASE.

ALIENS ENTER AUSTRALIA. SYDNEY, May 9. The number of nlinn migrants to Australia in Hip |j month* ended iji M»rch was 10.13", compared with ftOUl •n the nievioii-t vcar. liennan inisrants ontnumboipd Italians, lieim,' 3101, as •geinet 2671. Other principal nationalities were: — fOIM, 01)2; Greeks, M7C; Yugoslavs, *»; Russians, 2O."»; Albanians, 208; «e«ic»m, 124; Czechoelovakß, 114.