The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1900-08-27
VIEWS ON THE PoPE's PROTEST.
King Victor Not to Gain Title to the
PapaI States.

The news from Rome that Pope Leo XIII
he's again protested against italian aggTes-
son in the Papal States was received by
the Catholic clergy and laity in Washington
without surprise The news that the Pope
declines TO recognize King Victor as the
King of Italy appeared to cause some,
though little concern among intelligent
Italian residents of Washington with whom
q Times reporter spoke.
The report that His Holiness will rec
ogniZe Humberts successor only as King
of Sardinia, is said 10 be incorrect, in that
his authority as King of Piedmont Lom-
bardy. and Tuscany is not questioned. and
it may be that his t3tle to the crowns of
Naples and Sicily is good. the successors
10 the old monaFchs of those countries hav-
ing virtually reDounced their claims.
1t is thought in Washington that the
report from Rome is premature. Although
the Pope might with propriety. il is said,
now that a new monarch has aEcended the
throne, send g letter OF protest 10 the
Catholic powers-Austria, Spain. Portugal
and Franee-it would be more likely that
he would make this protest before a con-
sistory a convention of cardinals which
ecnvenes at the call of the Pope. No
coEsistory has been called since the as
sassination of Hunbert. but it is believed
10 be probable that one will be called dur
ing the fall. Then the periodical protest
of the Pope against what the Vatican al
legs 10 be the usurpation of the Popes
ten. .,orgl sovereignty, will be made, either
in the form OF a message or an address.
The reason for this is that, though no
immediate practical result is hoped for,
the Papacy intends that the temporal King
pair se-TefI- ha pa.-
pal States by prescription These states
embrace narrow strip Of territory in
Guiding Rome Ancona and other terrific
rial subdivisions extending across the Ital-
ian peninsula from southwest TO north
east. The P&pal claim is that these states,
comprising the Patrimony of St. Peter,
were wTested from the Pope and taken
without right by the Italians in 1870
Though Humbert and the Church we're
not friends. the Kings assassination was
deplored by the clerical press of Rome.
The growth and spread OF anarchy V-ere
attributed to Liberalism which, il was
contended was fostered by the state
Liberalism and the Liberal party it IS
said. sought to set at naughs all religious
influence Anarchy. it was main aimed
could never find any Iodgment where the
teachings of the Church were observed.
This is the nearest approach TO criticism
which the clerical press made of Hum
bert's reign after his death
In the interim between the assassina-
tion of Humbert and the accession of Vie
tor several Liberal journals editoriaIly
expressed the hope that the coming King
would be sovereign who would wipe out
even the last Vest1ge of religion. This is
saiG 10 have been in strong contrast to
the calm attitude of the clerical press
When Victor delivered his coronation
address before his ministers, and ann3unc-
ed his loyalty 10 religion and his country.
the clerical press commended him.
All this it is said. indicates that the
breach between the Papacy and the tenn
poTal ruler of Italy is no wider than ever
and that the protest of the Pope, if one
has been made, is simply perfunctory
one designed TO prevent the King gaining
title 10 sovereignty over the Papal States
by prescription.