The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1904-09-11
WHAT'S TIE POLICYOFPIUSX.?
A YEAR IN OFfiCE SHOWS THE
NEW POPE'S CHARACTER.

Letter on ltaiy's Helf MOI Dy f1uS u.
ROME, Aug. 2s.-By the end of the first
wear OF his pontifcate Plus x. has, at least,
shovn clearly his intentions and begun to
reveal his character. For some people this
has certainly been a revelation. The
Italian Archbishops, his colleagues, know
the perfectly evangelical spirit of humility
that had always inspired the words and
actions Of the Patriarch OF Venice; they
could not be ignorant, either of his love of
discipline and his frmness In authority
qualities born in him but developed and
strengthened by his administration OF the
diocese which has the reputation OF being
the most peaceful and dooile in the whole
kingdom. What was not foreseen, perhaps,
was the manner in which these two ten
denotes in his character would counterfeit
each other, or which finally would overcome
the other. Many Cardinals at the Roman
curia expected to become indispensable and
influential advisers, and, TO their great sur
prise, il they have been often questioned
they have never been consulted, and there
is a shade that cannot but touch their
-compacence.
Humble and sincere to himself, Plus x.
has the consciousness OF his experience
and Of his insufficient preparation for af-
fairs; a man Of faith and of good authority,
he does not allow himself to doubt for a
moment the power attributed to prayer
and to good will by Christ for that reason
he seeks counsel OF God and OF himself.
From the very first day he has shown his
desire to know everything and TO decide
everything. Since his accession he has
called to him and has questioned an in
credible number of persons of the most
varied character; he has had a mass of re-
ports drawn up and prepared fer him;
he has examined schemes of reform of
all Sorts at the end OF every important
conversation he notes down himself In
writing, whatever seems to him worth
preserving; then he compares and judges.
One might suppose some one said to
me- not without irony, that this religious
Pope had taken Macchiavelli's Prince
for his text book, so literally does he seem
to follow the max inns of the great politician"
This system applied to the government Of
the Church perhaps presents some dangers,
but it also offers certain guarantees; II it
is the cause at times of hesitation and delay
it at least treasures the conscience of him
who commands.
Plus y. questions dignitares and officials
Of all ranks ard all kinds and listens to their
answers almost without interrupting them.
As for his familiar conversation he seems
to reserve it prudently for some of the
persons around him whom he keeps away
from political matters; such are the pious
Mgr. Bressau, the amiable and jovial Canon
Sanfermo and some others. who accom-
pany him in his walks and are present at
his meals. Some OF the men who elected
Plus X. have seea these habits established
with a good deal Of surprise and a little
disgust; they had counted on less reserve
and more docile timidity; they have been
quickly disillusioned.
An example will show better the prudent
and conscientious way In which Plus y.
tries to protect from any surprise the indie
pendence and integrity Of his judgment.
Even in Leo XIII time the project of the
building OF st Peters Cardinal Mocenni,
had attracted attention by his horror for
useless expense and the rather minute ex-
actness of his economy. AS the new Pope
had left behind him in Venice reputation
for generous and almost prodigal charity,
the moment was thought opportune to put
aside man who had the unpleasant habit
OF examining accounts too closely The
persons interested did their utmost to pre-
judice the new Pope against Mocenni.
They thought they were successful, and the
old Cardinal declined in favor at first.
But Plus X. on being better informed
soon saw how real were the abuses that
Mocenni pointed out and fought against
necessarily. Every one knows that he has
entered the path of economy himself and
that he is celebrating whole programme
OF financial reports. Certainly the first
year has given no satisfaction to the pre-
feet of the reverend building 1t was long |
time since the money coming from Peters !
pence had been spent so freely. But
this very waste WAS conscious and YVES |
regretted as coon as it was made manifest:
il was besides an inevitable settlement
after the disorder of the preceding reign.
Nevertheless the experience bore fruit
and the Pope few days ago, said good
naturedly: 1T is Mooenni who is right
Plus X, understands that the Holy See
requires dignity without pomp, grandeur
without vain display, and that the first
expenses to he cut down are those Of cere-
monial which arouses In the minds of the
most, indifferent unpleasant compa rison
oil the palace of the Vatican to that at Con-
santinople. On the anniversary of his
coronation, at the close of the great cere-
mony in st. Peters, the Pore stepred out
oil the -sedia,' tired and displeased; not
only did he suffer from the physical dis
comfort that being carried in a sedan chair
causes him, but also from the uneasiness.
the sort Of disgust he feels at being borne
IKE Byzantine emperor, on the shoulders
OF men who are his brothers In Christ"
1t seems that Plus X. intends to 20 much
further in the direction OF return to ancient
simplicity and that this Pope, newcomer
IN politics, ngs TO the relations OF the
holy Bee to the temporal Powers views
mat are at once more modest and at the
same time more exact practically. Not
,hat he intends to give up any OF the privi-
leees acquired by his predecessors or any
OF the claims they have put forth. But here,
again, he seems to establish distinct on
between the reality Of power, the practical
exercise OF influence and the Elusive vanity
words. the pompous apparatus Of pro-
'ooos. The very interests Of the Church
require OF him the most extreme prudence
IN these matters. The prestige Of the Holy
See 1t has been said has been enriched NV ,