The Oskaloosa herald., 1902-07-24
SAYS FAREWELL
Taft's Parting Audience with
Pope at the Vatican.

Rome, July 22.-The pope received
Gov. Taft and the members of his
party in farewell audience at noon
Monday. The Americans drove in two
carriages from their hotel to the vati-
can. Judge Taft and Judge Smith
wore evening dress, as prescribed by
etiquette; Maj. Porter was in full uni
form, and Bishop O'Gorman wore
ecclesiastical robes. They were re-
ceived at the great door of the vati-
can by the Swiss guards, who rendered
military honors. At the foot of the
state staircase the Americans were
met by Mgr. Bisleti, master of the
ceremonies, who was accompanied by
several other dignitaries of the papal
court. At the door of the pontifcal
apartments the noble guards and
gendarmes rendered the customary
honored.
Cordially Greeted.
The Americans were ushered into
the private library and as soon as
the door was opened the pope went
half way to meet them, and greeted
Gov. Taft with the greatest cordial
ity. The pontiff commenced the in
terview by saying he was most sat
isfied and happy at the results OBJ
tanned, and was confident that the
negotiations would be the starting
point of complete and satisfactory
solution of the question under dis
cussion. He added that the apostolic
delegate soon to be appointed would
be instructed most strictly and pre-
cisely regarding carrying out the
ideas determined upon between the
United States and the vatican, say;
ing: 81 will see that orders be
given him as to his work, over which
/ will watch him personally"
Turning the conversation, the pope
expressed the highest esteem for
American methods of treating
church matters. In fact, he had
more than once pointed toward the
United States as setting an example
well worth copying.
Gov Taft's Reply.
Gov. Taft thanked the pope for the
promptness and courtesy shown him
during his visit and promised coop
Grafton with the apostolic delegate
in executing the business on the
lines agreed upon at Rome. He ex-
pressed regret at the fact that the
negotiations had been made the oc-
casion of the circulation of false and
even calumnious rumors in various
papers and by some telegraphic
agencies, which had given rise to I'M
favorable comments upon the vati-
can. The pope also protested against
such false reports, but he philoscph-
ically declared that by this time he
was accustomed to that kind of mis-
representation.
The Gift to the President.
The pontiff then rose with unusual
activity, walked with the America.s
to the opposite side of the room and
showed them the mosaic which he is
sending to President Roosevelt, in
return for the presidents present of
box containing his (Mr. Roose-
yelt's) literary works. The mosaic
is a copy of Corridi's well-known
picture of Pope Leo sitting on the
terrace of the vatican gardens sur
veying Rome. 1t was made in the
vatican workshops. The pope then
gave Bishop O'Gorman an autograph
letter to President Roosevelt.
Americans Depart.
Members of Gov. Taft's party
asked the pope to bless several
boxes of rosaries and other religious
mementoes, which his holiness did
most willingly, adding that his ben
ediction was extended to all their
relations and friends. After an au-
dience of 40 minutes, in which the
conversation was carried on entirely
in French, Bishop O'Gorman and Maj.
Porter translating, the pope saw the
Americans to the door of the Ii
brary.
Gov. Taft and his companions then
called on the papal secretary of
state, Cardinal Rampolla, with whom
they exchanged somewhat similar
courtesies. Later Gov. Taft, accom-
panied by Judge Smith and Capt.
Strother, left Rome for Naples.
Bishop O'Gorman will sail for the
United States next week He will take
with him a letter from Cardinal Ram
polla to Secretary of State Hay.