POPE’S EFFORTS FOR PEACE

Press, Volume LXXV, Issue 22707, 11 May 1939, Page 11

POPE’S EFFORTS FOR PEACE

REPORTED APPROACH TO POWERS

SOLUTION OF DANZIG

DISPUTE

PROSPECTS OF MEDIATION

MENTIONED

(united TRESS ASSOCIATION—COPYRIGHT.)

(Received May 10, 2 p.m.)

LONDON, May 9

The Paris correspondent of the British United Press states that it is reliably reported that the Pope has suggested that the time might be ripe for mediation between France and Italy by a conference of the interested Powers at the Vatican.

Fiance is lukewarm, contending that normal diplomatic channels are still open.

Herr Hiller is reported to be not antagonistic to suggested mediation between Germany and Poland, but a flve-Power conference is regarded as very unlikely. According to an Independent Cable message, the Apostolic Delegate (Monsignor Godfrey) visited the Foreign. Secretary (Lord Halifax) to-day.

Whitehall admitted that Monsignor Godfrey saw Lord Halifax to hand over a Papal message, but it was claimed that in view of Monsignor Godfrey's nun-diplomatic

status, Whitehall was unable to discuss or reveal the contents of the

message. It is learned, however, that Monsignor Godfrey handed over a suggestion from the Pope for a fivePower (Britain, France, Italy, Germany, and Poland) conference regarding Danzig and the Polish Corridor.

Five-Power Conference Authoritative reports from European capitals confirm that the Pope has been most active in the last 10 days in endeavouring to suggest a pacific settlement of international problems.

The Vatican City correspondent of the British United Press states that official circles have confirmed the reports that the Pope is trying to promote a solution of the GermanPolish dispute, but they deny that he has suggested, or is considering a five-Power conference, pointing out that his Holiness thinks that more can be achieved through diplomatic channels. The Holy See procedure in this connexion is usually confined to “diplomatic persuasion and moral pressure,” though it is possible that the Pope may act as mediator if the disputants requested it.

Papal circles in Paris w r erc instructed last week-end to make diplomatic representations to London, Paris, Berlin. Rome, and Warsaw, as a result of which Britain and France are reported to be consulting Poland. It is stated that the reply of the French Foreign Minister (M. Georges Bonnet) to the Papal Nuncio (Archbishop Orsenigo) was noncommittal, pending Cabinet consideration. The Jesuit, Father Pietro Tacchiventuri, who was prominent in the settlement of the quarrel between the State and the Church in 1929, is reported to be acting as the Pope’s intermediary with Signor Mussolini. The German Attitude It is semi-ofllcially stated that the visit of the Papal Nuncio to Berchtesgaden on May 5 concerned the Polish situation. Well-informed circles in Warsaw noint out that Poland is stronglv Rornan Catholic, and would not sharply reject proposals from the Vatican, though it would probably, want an understanding with Britain and France that any conference would not bo similar to Munich. The Berlin correspondent of “The Times” states that the Pone’s peace move was one of the chief subjects of discussion bv Herr Hitler and Herr von Ribbentrop at Berchtesgaden. Official German opinion indicates that Germany is at last prepared to acknowledge the honesty of the neace moves, and will not treat them like Mr Rnnsevcll’s message, although the Nazis’ dislike of international conferences makes the acceptance of any proposals regarding .them unlikely. The Paris correspondent of the British United Press states that the French Prime Minister (M. Daiadier) and M. Bonnet discussed the Pope’s representations, which are described as not of a concrete character, but rather in the nature of suggestions. Lord Halifax will converse with M. Daladier and M. Bonnet when en route to the League Council meeting at Geneva on May 15.