Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-08-21
CARDINAL G1BBpNs ABROAD
A Significant Interview With Him Pub
lished in Paris
He Describes the Interest Of the Pope
in the American Church-His Rela-
lions With Mgr. Satolli.

The correspondent at Rome Of the Balti-
more Sun sends an interesting letter under
date Of August 8, which was published yes
terday. The portion relating to Cardinal
Gibbons will be Of interest to a large num-
Der of readers in Washington. His visit to
France, says the writer. in speaking of
the cardinal. has given the French press
an occasion Of considering his great posi-
ton in the ecclesiastical world. and Of ap-
preciating his Importance in the United
States. The Osservatore Romano of Rome,
which has displayed an interest in
the cardinal quite justifying its name,
again returns to him, and. in order to
deny once more the attacks of the so-called
liberal press on him, quotes lengthy
interview which the cardinal had with a
writer in the Paris Gaulois. One of the
editorial staff Of that newspaper, profting
by the presence of Cardinal Gibbons in
Paris. sought an interview with him, and
among other things, questioned him re-
garding the Impressions he received in
Rome and upon his presumed contrariety
to the apostolic delegate.
The cardinal replied with remarkable de-
cision of language and preciseness. He
could, he said only characterize in one
wcrd his Impressions of Rome, which, in
deed. have always been the same, and
that word was delightfulness. Il have
conversed at length with the pope, said
the cardinal. who received me with his
health and life. He is more active, and
one might say younger, than ever, If youth
were synonym of activity, vtgor and en-
durance. I cannot, for it would be cul-
psble improperly on my part. even In the
smallest degree, speak OF the various
conversations I have had with the holy
father. All that the journals have re-
counted is incorrect
The Pope's Interest in America.
But 1t Is permitted to me to tell you
that I have treated with the pope on the
questions which more particularly interest
America. and that Leo XIII follows up the
religious movement in the United States
with an almost prophetic comprehension
and with a notable benevolence.
1.-THE hopes which the pope POUNDS upon
the American church will. am firmly con-
WINGED. be realized for the greater benefit
of Catholicity even in other countries
They are already realized in part. Not
only do the number of conversions among
us increase every year, but good works are
multiplied and Christian education in every
grade spreads with a rabidity which gives
cause for great hope in the future.
'In this order Of ideas I have had the
joy Of announcing to the holy father the
proximate creation of a faculty of phil
osophy in the Catholic University Of Wash
1rgton, project OF which the GauloiS,
am very happy to say, recently indicated
the great outlines, with much precision"
Friendly to Archbishop Satolli.
''They have said, your eminence" said
the interviewer, that the chief object Of
your journey to Rome was to so prevail
upon the pope as to obtain from him the
recall of Monsignor SatoAi. apostolic dele
gate to the United States"
what absurdity! Ny relations with
Monsignor Satolli have always been of the
most friendly nature. believe, nay, I am
sure. that he does very much good in the
position in which the confidence of Leo
XIII has placed him, and that his presence
there is not only useful, but necessary. 1
have, besides. strongly protested in a let
ter, which the Osservatore Romano pub
lished some days ago, against the insinua-
ton, which Is absolutely contrary to truth,
that you have just mentioned"
This Is the most recent declaration OF
the cardinal regarding a statement which,
although repeatedly denied, has been re-
peatedly and persistently reiterated.
note in the Figaro of Paris, the most
important of all the journals in the French
capital, relates that Ibis emnence Car
dinal Gibbons. who returned from Reims
Monday evening and passed Tuesday at
the house of the Sulpieian Fathers at Issy,
left Paris Wednesday morning on mis- way
to London. Thence the archbishop will
proceed to ireland, where he will remain
few days before returning to his diocese of
Baltimore"