MESSACE FROM POPE
SEVENTH, MONTHS AND
It was with this in mind that the
Pope requested Cardinal Gibbons to
convey a personal message to the President many months ago—a message
which was never made public, but one
which, it was generally believed, had
to do with peace negotiations. It was
learned at this time that the President then saw no favorable opportunity to make a new tender of good offices to the belligerents. He had previously informed each side of the conflict that he stood ready at any moment to mediate for a cessation of hostilities, but he did not then feel inclined, it was said, to do more than repeat his offer.
Neither the White House nor the apostolic delegate would discuss the message from the Pope. It was immediately sent to the President by Secretary Tumulty, and, being regarded as strictly confidential, no official would comment upon it or do more than intimate that it made reference to peace proposals. 