The Portland daily press., 1899-09-06
THE POPE mas NOT SPOKEN,
No Word from Him In Respect TO Ro-
man Catholics in Philippines.
fwsshington correspondence Of The Bal
timore SUM-

Washington correspondence Of The BAL
timore SUM-
Ciroumstantial statements have recent
ly appeared in print indicating that the
Pope had instituted preliminary negosia-
tions with the United States Governments
In reference to determining the future
status Of the Roman Catholic Church In
the Philippines. Six months or moro aso
similar astatsments were circulated COR
cernIng Cuha and Porto Rico. In the
present instance the assertion is aiso made
that IL may be in the power cf the Pope,
through the Church In the Philippines, 90
exercise his good offices in inducing
Aguinaido to abandon hcstilities or
course. pretty much all Of this Is founded
on nothing more substantial than the i'm
agination Of thoss who have given 1t cur
rency.
1t was pointed out In this oorrsspon-
dence last Water that, naturally and
necessarily, the Roman Catholic Church
In Europe and America must view with
deep Interest the policy of this Govern.
;nent with reference to the
Internal affairs Of the islands acquired
from Spain. During the whole period Of
centuries OF Spanish rule there had teen
the most Intimate connection between
Church and state. This wac, as will be
understood. impossible of contin eance
under our form of government. Bat it
was recognized that dellcacy, elaboration
and tact would be called for In the pro-
cess OF severing Church and State, and
securing harmonious adjustment for
the new order CT tnlngs.
This Idea was particularly Impressed
upon our military commanders in all the
and for ~ Hrar, hfc
tion up to this time has been productive
of little IL any friction of consequence.
Pope and prelntes have watched tie
course of events with unceasing interest;
several millions of peopls OF their faith
are affected. But at no time Eas the
Pope, or any one assuming to speak for
him. undertaken TO make any formal
represnta tions on the subject to this Gov-
ernment, or any member of 1t, and there
10 certainly not scrap of paper contain
ing any aliusion to 1t on iile at the De-
partment OF State.
In connection with the reports on this
subject 1t has been assumed TO give
utterances OF State Department Officials.
1t was affirmed positively by high officials
of the department today that all such
reports were entirely unfounded, and that
no uttsrances had been made at the De-
partment. In reply to a direct qnery, De-
partment officials said there was not tho
slightest idea the Pope had ever thought
or ever would think of attempting TO open
negotiations with this Government of any
character. He knows IL would be neces-
sary preliminary for him to possess di-
plomRtic status
But the Pope undoubtedly has the same
privilege as any one else, high or low. in
any part CT the world. There would he
no impropriety whatever in his address
ing personal communication to the
President, the Secretary of State or any
member Of Congress, setting forth his
views on any public question. While he
might do this and no one could have any
fair or just reason TO except to it, 1t Is
be stated. however, without reserve, that
the President is fully acquainted with
Catholic views on all matters pertal lning
to his Administration, just as he is with
the views of the representatives, OF all
other religious denominations in the
United States.
AS matter of fact, the President has
had "bushels' of advice from various
religious denominations, not only touch
ing upon the matters with which they
are supposed to ne particularly concerned,
but upon every other conceivable topic
connected with our new possessions. The
President has, of his own voiitiou, sought
the counsel and the suggestions of men
prominent ir the Catholic Church when
dealing with social or political problem 8.
their views upon which would bs OF value
and assistance. he numbers among them
several personal friends, of whom Car
dinal Gibbons and Archbishop Ireland
are conspicuous examples. 10 these two
the doors of this White House are never
closed. It may not lie doubted that with
tlem and with others he has discussed at
ength religious questions, presented in all
the Spanish-American islands.