The San Francisco call., 1901-12-24
POPE SEEKS
CLOSER TIES
IN AMERICA
Anxious to Have United
States Send a Rep
resentatiVe.
Willing to Withdraw Friars
From Philippines and Make
Other Concessions.
Should All Go Right, Archbishop
Ireland or Corrigan May Be APP
pointed Cardinal Of the
Curia at Rome.
Special Dispatch to The Can.

LONDON, Dec. 23.-Roman Catholic cir
cles in London are much interested in two
topics, one of which is the attitude of the
Vatican toward the United States and
the other the opening of the new Roman
Catholic cathedral at Westminster.
The correspondent of the Pail Mall Ga
zette at Rome says that the circum-
stance of Cuba and the Philippines fall
ing under the jurisdiction of the United
States has been seized upon by the Vati-
can to push a project dear to Pope Leo.
When he came to the pontifical throne
several countries had no representatives
accredited to the Vatican. The new Pom
tiff set himself the task of changing this.
One of the powers that has always proved
obdurate is the United States, but now
with Cuba and the Philippines the Catho-
lie interests are so immense it seems that
the Washington Government is not un-
willing to discuss the matter. The Vati-
can would meet it half way, and would
even be satisfied for the moment with a
semi-officiaI representative, in the hope
that he would eventually be turned into
a Minister or ambassador, as in the case
of Russia.
Will Withdraw the Friars.
The Vatican, according to the same au-
thority, has given Washington to under
stand that it will gradually withdraw the
friars from the Philippines, substituting
American clergy, and give the Manila
Archbishopric to Americans. 1t will yield
to the great desire Of Catholics in the
United States to have another Cardinal
1t does not wish to do this while Cardinal
Gibbons lives, but may compromise by
creating Archbishop Ireland or Archbish-
op Corrigan a Cardinal of the Curia,
which means living in Rome, should all
go right.
England is the only other great power
yet to come into line.
Cardinal Vaughan has decided to open
the new cathedral at Westminster on
June %. three days after the coronation.
1t will be an imposing ceremony. and the
Pope will be specially represented. Lady
Vavasour has intimated that she will pre-
sent costly mosaic of the Welsh St.
Winefriede for the interior decoration.
Pope Receives Cardinals.
The Pope to-day received the Cardinals,
who offered him their Christmas greet
ings The Pontiff made a lengthy ad-
dress, in which he condemned what he
characterized as the excessive liberty Of
thought indulged in at the present time.
He sharply criticized socialism, agitation
for divorce and hostility between different
sections of the church. and urged union
of the Christian churches.
The church, said the Pope in the course
of his remarks, is now confronted by diff
ficulties similar to those of earlier times
There were attempts everywhere to make
the masses enemies of the church. the
religious orders were subjected to all
kinds of vexatious prescriptions and laws
were being passed in open defiance of
Gods eternal laws.
The Pontif said the only means of sue
cessfully combating socialism was for
Catholics to harken to and obey the in
structions of the church.
No Representative to Vatican.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 23.-President
Roosevelt has no intention of asking
Congress for authority to appoint a rep
resentative to the Vatican. While it is
true that church interests in Cuba and
the Philippines are large. the administra-
ton does not consider there is any reason
to have an Emba assador accredited to the
Pope. In connection with church ques-
tions in dependencies representations have
been made to the President through Car
dinaI Gibbons and Archbishop ireland. It
is unnecessary, it is claimed. for the Pope
to appoint a representative in Washing
ton, especially to discuss Vatican affairs
with this Government.