The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1898-04-05

Washington. April 4.-In view of the
sensational character of the news from
Madrid, one of the officials in consul
tation with the president was induced
TO look over the press bulletins. When
he read one which said that the United
States and Spain had agreed to select
the pope as mediator and that the
pope Dad accepted the position, he said,
with emphasis:
This country has not asked the pope
to mediate Everyone knows that the
pope of Rome, like every other Chris
tian man, would like to avoid war
if possible. That fact has been repeat
eddy published. It is known to the adj
ministration, unofficially, of course,
hut only that way. The president has
never been asked to submit the dis
pute to the pope, and he certainly has
never made such an offer. Spain and
the pope may have been negotiating,
but that does not affect us. You can
deny the story officially, and in the
fullest possible manner"
BETWEEN SPAIN AND CUBANs.
From another source it was learned
that the efforts of the pope have tend
ed toward mediation between the Span
ish and insurgents, rather than be-
tween the Spanish and the United
States. 1t is said on good authority
that if the president was looking for a
mediator he would be more likely to
take the queen of England than the
pope. The Monroe doctrine expressly
fcrbids any possible interference by
European powers in American affairs,
and the pope has never yet given up
his claim TO temporal power. 1t has
been understood here that the first Of
frFt c.f la1
TO give up Cuba peacefully, and these
sseffcrts are supposed TO be the ones re-
ferreG to in the Madrid dispatch.
NOT A PAPAL CUSTOM
DR.. Rocker, secretary of the papaI
legation in Washington, was walked up
at midnight and asked about the re-
pert He said: 4 place no dependence /
in it. 1t is not the custom of the pope
to offer his services in any matter of
this kind. Any negotiations for such
mediation must of necessity, come from
the countries interested. 1t would be
necessary Cor Spain to notify her min
lister here, who would lay the matter
before President Mckinley. If the pres |
ident asked the pope to mediate, ii !
might be done, but not otherwise. |
have never heard of any such negotia- /
tionS in any manner"
While no offer of mediation has been |
made by Pope Leo XIII to the United |
States. since the vatican never initiates |
4 tender of its services as mediator or |
arbitrator, and this country has made /
no such request, there is little doubt |
that unofficial representations have /
been made as to the interest felt by the |
pope in the preservation of peace.
POPE's INFLUENCE.
There is reason to believe. however,
that the pope's influences are being ex-
cried much more directly and with
greater effect at Madrid than at Wash
ington- Pope Leo is the godfather of
the young son of Alphonso VII, the late
king of Spain. This indicates the great
influence which the vatican exercises
over the Spanish dynasty. the royal
family and the country at large being
thoroughly Catholic
Owing to this. it is not doubted that
the influence of the pope would be
most important and probably decisive
in inducing Spain 10 make every con-
cession possible toward the mainten-
ance Of peace. Furthermore. it is
known officially that these influences
are being exerrei at the present mo-
ment. and that they promise to De pro-
ductive of results.
LEO's WISH.
Rome, April TT is stated in Vatican
mally offered to mediate between
Spain and the United States. II is
true, however, that the pontiff has con-
veyed to Madrid his ardent wish for
the avoidance of a conflict, and has
asked Spain to arrange for suspen-
sion of warlike measures or decisions.
The vatican refuses to publish the
text of the communications which have
passed between the pontiff and Madrid.
but the statement that his holiness has
asked Spain to arrange for a suspen-
sion of hostilities in Cuba is confirmed.
The Observatory Romano, reviewing
he situation officially. says:
I'VE must regard Americas demands
IS excessive, especially as Spain has {
to submit the whole admin
stration question TO the insular parlia-
nent 1t is difficult to perceive on (
what pretext Washington could declare
var. even if so disposed. and we have
confidence that the wisdom and mod
,ration of President Mckinley, with
ne practical common sense of the )
Americans, VIII avert the horrors of Z
var" s
The Italia, confirming the report as !
0 the communications that have \
'assed between the vatican and the
spanish government, says: I
THE prospect that mediation will i
be offered is not excluded. /
ut the greatest difficulty will be to I
induce the United States to accept the t
ope as arbitrator" G
a HIGH PARSONAGE.
Madrid, April 4-1:3O p. m-The cor 5
here of the Associated Press h
as just had an Interview with a high L
ersonage of great authority, who 2
feared up many discrepancies in pre- y
ious reports. showing just how the r
apal Intervention occurred. Unfor- n
lnately, the name of this high person.
sc cannot be quoted, but no one is bet n
er qualified To speak with knowledge q
{ the subject. This minister says: n
There is no papal telegram what e
YER What happened was that the a
panish representative at the vatican Fl
as approached by Cardinal Rampolli. s
-ho told him the president of the b