The daily morning journal and courier., 1899-04-24
ITALY AND THE VATICAN
POSITION AS REGARDS
 DIS4RMAMENT CONVENIENCE. <
Similar to That Taken When the Pope's Temporal Power Was Denied md Fi- nally OyerthrOwn Vatican's Sole Au- thorlty Relates to Moral and Not Po-
 JiticaI Affairs-IreIamd'sT Trip Abroad.

Washington, April 23, - Catholic
 church affairs have of late been at
 tracting unusual attention in diplomatic
 circles in Washington. This is due i'll
 a great deeree to Archbishop Ireland's s
 visit abroad and to the attitude of Italy
 in refusing to take part in the czar's
 disarmament congress if the pope also
 was to take part. Because of this con
 troversy the invitations issued by the
 government at The Hague were delayed
 some weeks, and in consequence the
 British foreign office withheld the of-
 ficial announcement of Sir Julian Paun- cefote's selection as one of the British
 delegates The state department was also in the same quandary till the con- troversy was adjusted. As explained by a leading diplomatic official the po- sition of Italy was similar to that taken when the temporal power of the pope was denied and finally overthrown. In opposing the pope's representation at The Hague, Italy held that the sole au- thority of the vatican related to moral and social affairs and not to material or political questions between nations. In behalf of the pope it was urged that Italy already recognized the material and political authority of the pope by admitting the appointment of ambassa dors to the vatican from FraiGe, Spain, Bulgaria, Portugal and some other countries. Pending the settlement of Italy's objections there was much per picking delay in arranging the details of the congress. It was finally deter mined that the pope would not be rep resented, this decision, it is understood being acquiesced in by the vatican Since then there have been intimations that the French delegates to The Hague would indirectly represent the vatican, but it is said in the best posted diplo- matic quarters that this surmise is wholly unwarranted.
 Ireland's Trip Abroad.
 The presence of Archbishop Ireland in Europe at this time has led to efforts among the leading members of the dip- lomatic corps here to have him preside at some notable church occasion. As a result 1t is learned that the archbish- op will deliver the principal discourse at the Joan of Arc celebration of May s at the old French town of Orleans, which gave the name of the Maid of Orleans" to the girl saint and soldier The exercises will have both relig- ious and national character, bringing pilgrims from all parts of Europe and having the special benediction of the people. It was thought at first that Archbishop Ireland would take this oc- rasion to correct the misapprehensions which have arisen through Europe as to 'Amerlcanism, as set forth in Father Hecker's book. The errors on this sup feet are ascribed mainly to the mis. of the book by a French | lbbe so that it was felt to be appro- oriate that the correction and elucida- ion of true "Amercanism" should be made on this memorable church and na- -ional occa sion. Quite recently, how | 'ver, the leading church authorities in his country have made known that Archbishop Ireland's discourse would | De confined strictly to religious themes. | lealing with the inspired characted of | loan of Arc. While this may not give he discourse the significance at first yet the belief is expressed by hose familiar with the arrangements hat the fervor and patriotic impulses if Archbishop Ireland may lead to some discussion of the American theme which las been so prominent in church affairs If late and in which he has been one # the foremost fighters