The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-07-29
The Archbishop Studied the Work of
the Conference and Knows
All About 1t.
HOME AND FOREIGN LABORERS
WORKINGMEN IN THIS COUNTRY
BETTER OFF THAN IN EUROPE.
His Visit to the Pope and What He
Learned-France and Other Ma
tions Would BE Our Friends.

NEW July ZS.-AhOnS inc pas
sengers who arrived this morning per steam
er Britannia from Liverpool and Queens
town were Archbishop Ireland, the Rev.
Thomas Bradbury. Harold Dickinson and
the Rev. Cleighton Spencer. The archbishop
said he had had a delightful time while
abroad and had met many notable people.
Asked If he would say anything about the
reconstruction of the Catholic Church in
Cuba. Porto Rico and the Philippines, the
archbishop replied that that was ancient
history.
while I was away I see you have buried
Ingersoll," said Mr.. Ireland, but he made
further remark on the subject.
The archbishop, who Is greatly interested
in labor matters. said 1.-The contrast be-
tween the masses in this country and the
masses in the old world in and out of the
church is more remarkable now than ever
/ think. The American poor are happier and
a hundred per cent. more intelligent. Their
surroundings are better, their chances are
better. Where there is one case of misery
here there are hundreds abroad and by
abroad 1 mean England as we'll as the con-
tinent."
Regarding the peace conference at The
Hague the archbishop said: II learned with
satisfaction Of the completion of the con-
ference. 1 have taken a great deal of in
terest in the gathering and unlike some
others. think the result has been most COM
-r-ndable. am not talking as one who has
SKINNED the surface of the question. may
INCREASINGLY say I know all about the con-
ference. having studied it from first to last.
I regard the latest cable news as to Sails
bury's refusal to sign until the smaller
countries had affixed their signatures an
uncommonly shrewd move on the part of
Great Britain, because 1t will force the
Transvaal into an agreement"
Archbishop Ireland talked to reporters to-
night at the Fifth-avenue Hotel He spoke
of his sojourn abroad and of the condition
of affairs as he found them, but declined
to make any expression of his opinion on
either religious political matters. He
spent three months in Rome and three
months in France, Belgium, England and
Ireland.
I'm all the countries I visited" Arch
bishop Ireland said, 81 found a strong de-
sire for friendly relations with the United
States. France is vying with England ir
trying to cultivate our friendship. The
United States is admittedly the favorite ma
ton in the matter of forthcoming exhibit
ton. We have been allotted much more
space than we are entitled to. While l was
in Paris the question of the reciprocity
treaty was discussed. All France was in
tensely interested and all hoped that ia
vorable terms for both nations should be
arrived at, not from selfish motives entire
ly, but because they wanted to be able to
accept a policy agreeable to the United
States.
I'm England there is no idea of an abso-
Lutte direct political alliance with this coun-
try. The people want friendly relations. and
we can't be too friendly to suit them.
Il had very pleasant talk with the King
of Belgium. The King expressed most
friendly feelings toward the Americans, and
said to me: We are not a great country,
but are an important one because of
our African possessions and the capital We
dispose Of
THE King told me how delighted his
nephew, Prince Albert, was with his recep-
ton in America, and that since his return he
has spoken highly Of the intelligence and en-
terprise of the American people. The King
limited TO me that he might some day visit
the United States himself
"A prominent French statesman told me
that the belief is gaining ground that
France must take the American government
Als
About the Dreyfus affair. France is not in :
as much of a turmoil as one would think
The nation is occupying itself with its own
affairs and the government goes on as usual.
OF course discussions OF the 'affaire' are
lively, but ii is understood that the decision
of the court will be final. The question
from the first was badly agitated. It was
not put in proper form. The real question,
the guilt or innocence Of Dreyfus, was lost
sight OF. The army was very delicate and
very sensitive about its honor. The criti-
cisms of the army created q great deal of
anger 1t irritated the Frenchmen that the
matter should be made race question. The
army took up the quarrel as directed against
itself; the people became angry and over
looked the personal question of Dreyfus.
"I saw his Holiness, the Pope, three
months ago. I saw him before his illness
and after the operation. He is remarkably
we'll. There is no doubt about that. There
are more old men in Europe than in
America, and our old men have a lot to
learn from the old men Of Europe. The
Holy Father Is a man of wonderful phys
zeal vigor and likely to remain with US for
many years. His mind is sound. his health
Is good. and he Is much interested in public
affairs.
II have this impression about the Philip
pines. What ought to be done Is this: The
matter should be finished up at once and
not allowed to drag along. The only policy
for the United States is to get TO work at
once and finish it UP. In what disparaging
remarks / have heard. most stress is laid
en- the fact that we have not been able TO
iiberate the as~nish prisoners.
II found the conditions Of the Irish people