Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-12-31
MAyNEhV NEW POLICY
Recent Bnigmatical Remark
by the Pope.
EFFORT TO INTERPRET
CARDINAL MORAN EXPLAINS ITS
SIGNIFICANCE.
Larger Amount of Home Rule to Be
Granted to American Catholics in
Their Church Relations.
EFFORT TO INTERPRET
BY WILLIAM E. CURTIS.

Special Correspondence OF The Evening Star and
Chicago Record Herald
ROME, December q, 1903.
The other morning, In discussing his
anxiety to have the holy see represented
at the St Louis exposition in a suitable
manner, in response to the cordial invita-
ton he had received from President
Francis and the board of management,
Plus X intimated in his quiet way that
before long he should manifest his inter-
est In the affairs of the American people
and the progress of the Catholic Church
in the United States in manner that
would be equally gratifying to them and
to their permanent advantage.
His remark was direct, but at the same
time indefinite. He had been discussing
the growth and prosperity of the Amerl-
can church and had remarked very frank
ly that the future power and influence OF
| the papacy was dependent upon its fol-
lowing in the new countries, like the
United States, Canada and Australia, all
of which are Englsh-speaking, self-goV-
erning and without official relations with
any church. Plus is much better posted
concerning political affairs In our coun-
try than one would expect, and although
he is not as familiar with our geography
as he might be he knows quite as much
! venture to say, as any member OF Pres
States Senate knows of Italy. He could
not remember the number OF our states
but l doubt If our President could tell the
number of states in Italy, and his ideas
of distances in the United States are Ut
tie vague but no more so than those of
the average European.
1t is a matter of some curiosity where
he got this knowledge, and his famili-
arity with the affairs of the Catholics in
the United States is a constant surprise
to those who have talked with him about
them. He understands the situation quite
accurately; he knows of the factfonal
differences that exist and the personal
rivalries and jealousies and the compare
tive ability. popularity and influence OF
our distinguished prelates He knows,
for example, of the great educational
activity at present among American
Catholics, and made inquiries concerning
the standing of the university at Wash
ington among the great secular and
Protestant institutions, he is deeply In
terested In Trinity College at Washington
for the higher education of women. and
it is safe for those devoted to these
schools to rely upon his constant and
earnest support.
An Enigmadcal Remark.
But what he meant when he said that he
intended to do a great thing for the Catho-
Ii. Church in America is Yet a mystery. l
have consulted several cardinals on the
subject, and they differ in opinion. Plus
x is a new man in Rome. His methods are
entirely different from those that the
cardinals are accustomed to. They do not
vet under stand him and his ways of doing
things and so far as l have been able
to ascertain he has not announced his
purpose and policy concerning the American
church to any of them.
Some OF them interpret his remark as
meaning an intention to appoint another
American cardinal, and there Is a difference
of opinion as to whether 1t will be Arch
bishop Ryan of Philadelphia or Archbishop
Ireland of St. Paul Cardinal Satolli be-
lieves that 1t will be Ireland. and is so con-
fident that he does not hesitate to make
that prediction. Others believe that Ryan
is to receive the next red hat. The pope,
however, as happen to know, is impressed
with the idea that Archbishop Ireland Is
more widely acquainted and Is more
typical representative of the American peo-
Pile than Archbishop Ryan. Perhaps that
may influence his decision.
1t is no secret that he intends to appoint
another cardinal for the United States and
one. for South America. Because of the bit
ter jealousy between Chile and the Argen-
tine Republic, the archbishop of Brazil will
undoubtedly be selected, particularly be-
cause the government of Brazil has ex-