Evening star., 1898-12-19
NO ASSURANCES GIVEN
Denial of Rumor Respecting Protection of
Church interests in Philippines.
Statement Alleging Secret Meeting of
Catholic PreIates Denounced as
FaIse-Bishop of Harrisburg.

The Catholic Church authorities here say
that nothing is known of alleged assur-
aDces from President Mckinley to the Vat
lean relative to the protection of the church
interests against insurgent depredations in
the Philippines or elsewhere. The belief
is expressed that these reports grow out
of recent visit of Archbishop ireland to
Washington at which time he is under
stood to have called at the White House
and talked with the President in a general
way on political conditions. 1t is said to
be quite likely that some reference was
made to the peace and order which the
United States would seek to maintain in
all island dependencies, although nothing
is known of anything like official assur
ances on this point.
Archbishop Chappelle, the papal repre-
sentative to Cuba, also called on the Presi-
dent recently, but he has not disclosed
the nature of the talk except as to it's gen.
orally satisfactory character, and the
church authorities here say that, so far
as they know, nothing like official assur-
anceS have been conveyed to Rome. They
have no doubt, however. that the Vatican
is advised that thu government will pro-
tect all interests alike and maintain order
to al alike.
ArchbishOp's Trip to Rome
Archbishop Ireland will start for Rome
shortly after Christmas and probably dur
ing Christmas week. 1t is stated that there
is nothing unusual in the trip. The arch
bishop has been contemplating such a Jour-
my for the last two years and now finds
it convenient to carry out this long-defcrred
purpose.
AT times there have been reports that he
had been summoned to Rome. but it is said
by those fully Informed that at no time
has this occurred, nor does the archbishop
go row III response TO any request. After
his recent visit here the archbishop went
to New York ard thence TO ST. Paul his
plans being to return this way after Christ
mas ard then take a steamer before New
Year day.
Although the church officials say the trip
is wltnou, special significance, it is not
doubted that the arch1ishCp's presence in
Rome at this time Will permit general
discussion of church affairs in America
There have been reports that the pope was
about to issue an encyclical to the Amer-
can church. Nothing official is known of
TINS mere. 1t is understood that if such a
document is sent it will not touch upon
governmental affairs or the new colonies,
but will be confined to church affairs and
the desirability of cooperation.
Story Declared to BE False.
When the attention of DR.. Rocker of the
apostolic delegation was called to story
published in a New York paper to the eff
feet that secret meeting of Catholic
church preiates had been held in this city
last week he declared the statement to be
absurdly false. With regard to the sugges-
ton of Archbishop keane as delegate of
the church to the Philippine Islands, Dr.
Rocker said the matter had not baau
spoken of here. 1t is also denied that Arch
blshop Ireland spoke to President Mckinley
with regard to the release of church pris-
oners now held by. the Philippine insur-
gents That matter was the object of a
persona! VISIT at the White House of Car
dlnal Gibbons some weeks ago when The
question was thoroughly gone into.
Al the papal delegation it is also said
mat the report from Philadelphia that the
delegation is advised of the choice of
father Shanahan OF Philadelphia as bishop
OF Harrisburg is erroneous. The delegation
II IS stated, has not been informed of any
cholce for the Harrisburg diocese