The evening times., 1896-06-27
CATHOLIC cHURGH's STAND
Cardinal SatolIi Explains Its
Attitude Toward Cuba.
IT HAS NOT INTERPRETED
Initiative In All Matters Is Taken by
the Pope and a Reprlmand Would
He Administered to All Who Inter-
ested Thems lves-LeO Hns Not
Asked for Information.

Stories have been circulated OF late to the
effect that the Roman Catholic Church was
about to take some action regarding tue
war in Cuba.
One statement was that Cardinal satolli
had been in conference with the Cuban
leaders in this country, including Palma and
Quesada, and as result had changed his
views from the sentiment expressed some
time ago.
The patriots were said to be much pleased
with the prospect that IL they got no active
support from the church there was at least
no longer any unfriendiiness 1t was stated
that this change OF altitude was due To-
full statement Of facts put before Cardinal
SatOlli.
Other reports have gone a grcatceal
farther than this. 1t has been positively
asserted that Secretary Quesada, after the
lnterview.with the cardinal said the pope
had directed the cardinal to use his iDflu-
ence in the United States in behalf
OF the Cubans. The conference was the
first step in that direction. 1t had been
called at the cardinals instance, and the
result had been entirely satisfactory.
THE CARDINALS SEC RETARY
Rev. DR.. Rocker, who is the cardinals
secretary, said yesterday, when asked about
~
ying the Catholic Church Will interfere
with Cuban affairs. There has been no
change OF policy, because there is no policy
TO change. II is DaDe of our business here"
For Cardinal satuIli DR.. Rocker made the
following statement:
The churc. does not deem 1t its busi-
ness one Way or the other, and has not
interfered in any particular.
Some time ago my opinion was asked
..fNh a1tI
preston was not for publication nor cir
cuiaion. 1t was simply an expression OF
personal views, and could not In any sense
be taken as an indication OF the opinion
OF the church as body or OF his holiness.
The individual members of the church
and the clergy have perfect liberty of
thought as to the merits or dement's OF
the Cuban cause, but officially We have
taken no stand whatever.
Roman diplomacy is very strict, so
much so that the initiative in all mat
ters is taken by the pope and his per-
sonai advisers. should we even suggest
action in the Cuban matter it Is very
likely, almost certain, that We would he
reprimanded for interfering in affairs about
which we should have no concern.
POPE HAS NOT INQUIRED.
''If his holiness wished to take some
action in the premises it is very likely
thatne Will call upon US for such Information
I as We might ha We with a bea airing on the case.
Nothing of this kind has be zen done. Nut one
word has passed between this country and
Rene relating, even remotely, to Cuban
affars.
1T is, therefore, quite easy to see that
the church has done absolutely nothing
IN the matter. There have been no con-
ferences. No official opinion has been
expressed. The pope has not asked for
Information. We have not been informed
that he intends to do so. The church has
expressed no opinion on the affairs of
Cuba"
1t is considered possible by some who are
familiar with the work of the Catholic
Church in the interests of humanity that
this story orig mated from a purpose of Leo
XIII TO use Ills friendly offices as a mediator
between Spain and Cuba. 1t is believed by
these that the Pope's abiegate in this coun-
try has furnished Information upon which
this ction may be based.
1t is asserted that in case peace is estab-
lIshed by such mediation radical changes
in the direction OF the reforms asked for by
the insurgents will he made.