The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-02-14
Secures Italy's Promise to Safe
guard Interests of Catholics
in Korea.
FIRST ASKS AMERICA
And on President Roosevelt's Re-
fusal Shrewdly Appeals to
the Quirinal.
REBUFF FOR NJ. LOUBET
His Holiness Retaliating for the
French War on Religious
Orders.
Special to the Indianapolis Journal

Special to the Indianapolis Journal.
ROME, Feb. l3-The purpose Of Pope
Plus Y. announced at his first consistory,
TO take an active interest in the politics
of nations whenever the protection Of Cath
Ollie affairs justified him in so doing. has
been faithfully followed by him during the
six months that have passed since his cleo
ton as head of the church. a recent in
stance of his policy is found in the way
the Pope set out TO protect Catholic in
terests in Korea and the far East soon
as the differences between Russia and
Japan seemed likely to result in war. Mgr.
Gustave N1utel, the vicar apostolic at Seoul,
was asked to send to Rome a report as TO
the possibility of damage being done the
prosperous Catholic missions OF Korea and
Japan, and he at once wrote that the
greatest danger TO Catholic interests was
TO be found in Korea. because no repre-
sentative OF a foreign nation had officially
undertaken the protection OF Catholics in
the Empire Mgr. Mutel, who has erected
a splendid cathedral in Seoul, and numbers
congregation of $1,000 Catholics. mostly
converts, suggested in his report TO the
Vatican that France, his native land. be
asked by the Pope TO undertake such a
protectorate
The report from the Korean prelate
placed Plus Y under the rather disagreeable
necessity of asking protection of Catholics
from a government whose recent actions
toward the religious orders and the Roman
Church were too inimical to be over
looked; although previous to this time
France has been the official protector Of
Catholic interests in the East whenever
occasion has arisen. A conference on tho
subject was held at the Vatican. and Car.
dinal del Val, the pontihcal secretary OF
state. suggested that the United States.
whose friendly dealings with the Vatican
regarding Catholic affairs in Cuba and the
Philippines have made a deep impression
here, would probably undertake the pro-
lection of Catholics in the East If war was
declared. Negotiations were accordingly
opened with Washington. but to the re-
greet of Vatican authorities President
Roosevelt declined, for obvious reasons, 10
assume on the part of the American gov
eminent such prOtectorate.
Pope Plus Y then decided that. rathef\
than ask the friendly offices of the French
government, Il would be better policy to
approach the officials of the Italian govern
ment, particularly the request might
pave the way for some sort of reconcilia-
ton with Italy. and also teach a lesson to
the government of France. Italian author
titles We're, therefore. approached, and as
they readily consented to undertake the
protection of Catholic interests in the East,
orders have been sent from the Vatican
to all the bishops in China. Korea and
Japan that whenever conditions require
protection of Catholic interests. the 1tal-
ian ambassador the nearest Italian con-
sui should be called upon in the name OF
the Pope. 1t may be said I'm this connec-
ton that the Pope has tried TO avert the
war by appealing directly TO the Gar and
by Offering his services as mediator through
the nuncio at Paris, who held several con-
ferences with NJ. Motono. the japanese
minister. Nothing came of the appeals.
and the Pope is much gTieved at the COM
mencement of hOstilities coming In this
the first year of his pOntifcate
The war has. however, enabled the Vat
lean authorities TO begin work of retalia-
ton on France recently determined upon.
Notwithstanding the action Of France IN
expelling all religious orders, Plus y de-
cided when he assumed the Papal throne
that policy Of Cancellation might modify
the open hostility of the French goVerti-
ment toward the Vatican. He, therefore,
scrupulOusly abstained from public criti-
cism of the French policy, even when the
opportunity was offered at the reception
of a large French pilgrimage. His policy
found further expression in the reopening
of the matter of the canonization of Jeanus
d Arc the Pope hoping that the act would
tend 10 concliate the warning factions OF
French statesmen. But Papal diplomacy
and prudence did not produce the desired
effect on NJ. Combes and his associates,
and the movement against the church IN
France became more and more accentuated.
1t was then that Plus Y publicly advised
French Catholics TO enter the field, and.
while giving Caesar the things that are
Caesars" TO claim their rights both
through the press and by active propa-
ganda This utterance OF the Pope spurred
the archbishOps Of Paris and Rheims to
appeal by letter 10 President Loubet, i'm
the hope that his interference would stop
further anti-clerical legislation. The ac-
ton Of the French prelates brought upon
them, however, the severe criticism OF NJ
COmbes, who held that it was a relec-
ton on the conduct Of the French govern
ment. and who threatened special legisla-
ton TO prevent such happenings in future.
The closing Of all religious schools and
perhaps the abolition of the concordat. are
said to be now seriously considered by tbs
French Assembly.
Pope Plus Y has not remained idle. how
ever. and one mode OF retaliation on France
is seen in his refusal 10 receive NJ. LOubet az
the Vatican. The refusal is all the more
distasteful to Frenchmen because OF the
preparations being made by the Vat
lean to receive Emperor William Of
Germany, who is now expected IN
Rome in April his visit having been
postponed because Of the war in the East.
The refusal of the PODe 10 ask the French
government 10 protect Catholic interests
I'm the East. and the delegation OF that priv
ilege 20 Italy is another blow at France,
because the right OF protection OF CATH
olics has heretofore greatly enhanced the
prestige Of French representatives In China
and the East AZ French protection viii
no longer be sought by Catholics I'm Palcs-
tine and Asia Minor. Egypt or Africa. 10
is felt that the rivalry Of Germany viii in
some measure check the anti-clerical tend
encies OF the French administration.
The relations OF the Holy See with all
nations have lately formed the subject OF
many conferences OF cardinals AT the Vat
lean. \ principal question discussed has
been the methods by which the power OF
veto claimed by France. Spain and Austria
may be curbed. II was the action N AUS
tria under this claim. that defeated Car
diral Ramoolla a candidate for the Pap
acv at the last cOnclaVe, but IL was de-
cided 10 let bygones be bygones especially
as undue criticism OF Austria's action
might reflect on the validity OF the present
pODe's election. solution If the difficulty
was gained by the formulation OF a set 81
rules. which are TO be sent 10 every Euro
pean government. irrespective az religious
differences. and also 10 the secretary 81
state at Washington The document virtu-
ally extends the power OF veto 10 All ma
ti0ns. bat modidCs the manner In which
IL is 20 b. exercised in future II directs
that within ten days OF the death OF the
PoDe all governments which have official
or semi-ofiicial representation In Rome.
shall communicate in writing 10 the cardl-
nal camerlenG0 the names or the cardinals
whose election 10 the Panacy would DO
agreea BILE TO them. the reasons being given.
The Sacred College. at its preliminary
meetings. would take these matters under
consideration. and either observe or dis
rG he Cardinals forbid