Folia Theologica et Canonica 9. 31/23 (2020)
Sacra theologia
66 SZABOLCS ANZELM SZUROMI, O.PRAEM. scholarly literature. The most accepted one is by Rudolf Kiszling, who mentions 1 016200 of the 8 million Austro-Hungarian soldiers. More than half million died at the battlefield. It must be supply with 2 200 000 soldiers in captivity and 3 620 000 wounded.22 The geopolitical important of the last great Catholic power has disappeared after the so called Versailles Treaty. The last episodes of the Austro-Hungarian Empire dramatically and authentically described by Johannes Sachslehner in 2005 {Der Infarkt - Österreich - Ungarn)?3 IV. Papal Peace Note of 1917 Many researchers analyze the Papal peace note of August 1st 1917, without mentioning its preparing steps. These negotiations link to Archbishop Eugenio Pacelli. He was nuncio accredited to Bavaria, who began his new office on May 26th 1917, paying his visit at King Ludwig III, then a month later he had his official meeting with Theobald von Bethmann-Hollweg, Chancellor of the German Empire. During this second visit, Pacelli already explained concrete terms for peace in the name of Pope Benedict: 1) general limitation of armaments; 2) establishment of international courts; 3) restoration of the independence of Belgium; 4) Alsace-Lorraine and other such territorial questions were to be settled by agreements (not dictation) between the countries concerned.24 Bethman-Hollweg - who was always seriously circumspect - agreed with the listed clear peace terms. However, the meeting with Emperor Wilhelm II concluded differently, indicating several obstacles.25 Based on Peters’ analysis it is highly feasible, that if Benedict could make a direct contact in that very time, Germany very possible could accept the mentioned terms in order to stop the war. While the Entente Powers had strong conviction of getting close to the total victory on the Central Powers - and the entry of the United States on April 6lh 1917 supported their confidence26 -, Pope Benedict XV - after a several negotiations and consulting discussions - on August 1st 1917 (sent on August 15th) addressed a well prepared peace proposal in French, to terminate the still going war. The international atmosphere looked better than before to end the 22 Pollmann, F., Magyarország és az első világháború, 221. 23 Sachslehner, J., Der Infarkt - Österreich - Ungarn an 28. Oktober 1918, Vienna 2005. 24 Peters, W. H., The Life of Benedict XV, 141-142. 25 Peters, W. H., The Life of Benedict XV, 143. 26 Cf. Walworth, A., Woodrow Wilson, II. Norwalk, CT. 1978. 101-122.
