The Evening critic., 1884-03-27
THE PROPAGANDA PROPERTY.
An Effort in Behalf of thc Ameri.
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An Effort in Behalf of tnc Ameri.
can College at Rome.
Cardinal McCoskey and other eminent
Catholics Of the United states brought TO tho
attention Of the President several weeks since
the action Of The Italian Government IN the
matter OF the proposed sale OF the Propaganda
property at Rome, and requested tho good Of
lces Of the Government OF the United States
In behalf OF the American College. Tho
italian Government under the laws Of 1866
and 1873, levied upon tho Propaganda prop
erty. Proceedings were enJoined by the lower
court, but the decision OF the lower tribunal
was reversed by the Supreme Court OF the King
dom. BY direction OF the President, the Secre-
tary OF State addressed note to Mr.. Astor,
ing him TO lay the facts In tho case before tho
Government OF the King OF Italy and on
deayor TO obtain, II not perpetual abandon.
ment OF the impending sale, such stay of
proceedings as would enable tho friends OF
tho college In this country to determine
whether any remedy could be devised. Mr..
Astor was further Informed that whilo tho
American College is technically held by the
Propaganda, It is virtually American prop.
erty, and Its reduction would sacrifice inter-
ests exclusively American. 1t Is hoped by
the Secretary that the facts will induce the
Italian Government TO exempt the college
property from the above laws, but that as.
suredly delay will at least be granted.
II appears from o pastoral letter OF Arch
bishop Gibbons, addressed to the clergy ana
laity of his diocese that the movement for tho
'COnVcfSlOu' OF the properly OF tno American
College by virtue OF a Judgment of the Court
OF Cessation Of January 90, 1884, Is part of the
general policy OF the Italian Government,
which looks to the appropriation by the State
of all the real estate OF the congregation of
the Propaganda. This body, created In 1922,
TO preside over the missions and subsequently
largely endowed for its work by the con-
tributions Of the faithful In all parts OF the
world, would, under the operation of the
law OF August, 1867, be practically despolled.
Following tho precedent OF the action taken in
regard to the property OF the monastic orders,
the real estate of the PrOpagunda-in which
the American College is nOmlnally Included
will be put up at auction by the Govern
ment, and the proceeds of It's sale,
diminished by the large expenses of the
ment bonds. These bonds are not placed at
the disposal OF the Propaganda, nor is any
thing given IL In return, except the interest
accruing on them, which interest, under the
many contingencies 10 which poor, ambitious
and party-ridden Government i5 exposed,
is extremely uncertain. 1t is within
the mark, therefore, to say that this compul.
sorry conversion" of the property of the Amer
lean College Into undesirable Government
bonds Is n readjustment of values which ap.
proaches so nearly 10 connscation as to call
for protest from all liberal-minded people.
The action Of the State Department In calling
the attention OF Minister Astor TO tho subject,
with view, II possible, OF obtaining an ex-
emption for the American college, VIII be re.
garded therefor as proper and c0mmendable
stop,