The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-03-27
Hopes His Protest Against NJ.
Combes's Anti-Clerical Policy
VIII Have Effect.
AN INTERESTING FIGHT
That May Affect the Politics of
Europe and Work to the
Kaiser's Benefit.
POPE IS A DIPLOMAT
And Is Exerting His Influence in
Other than Strictly Re-
ligious Ways.
Special TO the Indianapolis Journal.

Special 10 the indianapolis Journal.
ROME, March 26-The address OF Plus X
to the cardinals on the day preceding the
feast of st. Joseph. in which he denounced
the conduct of the French government
toward the religious orders and bishops of
the church, is now the principal topic of
converse ton in ecclesiastical circles The
Papal protest was not entirely unexpected,
as it was thought to be the subject of the
long conferences last week between NJ
Nlssard, the French ambassador, and the
cardinal secretary of state. 1t is worth
noting that the two previous Popes and the
new Pope, until the present time, never
raised their voices against the anticlerical
policy of the French government, fearing
that protests would only make matters
worse than they were. The recently APP
proved educational laws of France brought
matters to point where the Pope could
not longer keep silent to the damage
done the church in France, and his public
protest followed.
Everybody in the Vatican, and indeed
in the whole of the city, is now waiting
to see the effect of the Pope's protest
especially as to it's effect on the church
IN France. An immediate result will be the
rendering il impossible for the French Pres
ideHt. Loubet, to visit the Pope when he
cC-ise' Rome on April 23 1t is. however.
no 81 ct that the Pope has not desired
to have NJ Loubet visit him and that he
has for months strenuously opposed the
idea OF an audience. His reason for the op-
position has been that the French President
is TO be the guest of the Italian King and
as ne Is the head of a Catholic country
he Sights the church when he becomes a
guest of the Italian government. This of it
self Is considered a victory for Vatican
diplomacy, the French government has
al he tfc.,
of Nj. Loubet by the Pope and the matter
is now held TO be settled without a direct
refusal being given.
A prelate who has the confidence of the
highest Vatican officials says that the Pope
has staked everything by his protest, in
the hope that the already lettering
effect of the Pontiffs displeasure. 1t is
said, on the other hand, that there is
danger that at the next discussion of the
French budget the funds which support the
French embassy at the Vatican may be
withdrawn as a measure of retaliation, and
IL such be the case, the nuncio at Paris
Will have TO be recalled and the church in
france LETT at the mercy OF the legislators.
These may proceed to the abolition of the
concordat, and thus withdraw all govern
ment support from the church.
This opening of hoStilities by the Vatican
against the French government is thought
TO be only the beginning. 1t is said to be
the intention of the Pope to continue to
embarrass the French government by pro-
passed are repealed, or a more concilatory
ministry placed i'll power. 1t will be the
policy OF the Vatican TO extend the Ger
man sphere of influence among Eastern
Catholics, especially in China and Pales-
tine. 1t is even rumored that Emperor
William, who is now in Italy, will be re-
cefved by the Pope soon as he leaves
Naples, and that the visit will be made with
great eclat to accentuate its political sig
nifcance. 1t is rumored here that the
nuncio at Munich has been in recent con-
ct11f ion, Will no pHor oil 70
arrange the details of the Emperors visit
1t is also rumored. and by some alleged to
be the fact that result OF these consulta-
tons will be the reception and recognition
of nuncio at Berlin.
= =
1t is clearly demonstrated that Plus X,
though an essentially religious Pope, can be
diplomatist when occasion demands. This
is shown not only by the incidents related
above. but by the fact that other nations
have enlisted the diplomatic offices of the
Vatican. The Balkan troubles. because of
which many appeals from Macedonian in
surgents and refugees have come TO the
Pope have caused the latter to summon
Monsgnore Mennini. the apostolic vicar at
Sophia and Philippolis, to Rome. He has
informed the Pope as to the situation and
the best way to protect Christians in the
Balkan states against the abuses of the
Turks To counterfeit the too friendly
offices of the Italian and Austrian govern
ments favOring the Sultan. the Russian
diplomatic agent in Bulgaria, NJ. Sakmeteff.
came to Rome by direction of his govern
ment and was received in private audience
by Plus Y, who received from him assur-
ances of the intention of the Russian gov
eminent to protect the Christians of Mace
donia and Bulgaria against Turkish abuses.
| 1t is expected at the Vatican that there
viii be numerous conversions to the church
| of Rome in the Balkan states, as result
| of the efforts in behalf of the insurgents.
r
| The diplomatic machinery of the vati-
can has moved in a new direction within
a few days, and negotiations have been
| opened with the United States government
! in an effort to secure pecuniary indemnity
/ for the relatives and families of priests
| who have been killed by American soldiers
| in the Philippines since the American occu-
| patton. Monsignore Guidi the apostolic del
| egate in the islands, has been instructed TO
/ look up the claims, which Will be submit
ted in Washington by Monsignore Falconio.
| The hope is expressed in Rome that the
| United States will deal generously in the
matter.
To commemorate the jubilee of the i'm
maculate conception, Plus X has ordered
| NJ. Schneider. the Vatican architect to
| build at the Vatican gardens an exact re-
production of the Grotto of Lourdes and a
| chapel. representing in reduced dimensions
| the famous Basilica of Lourdes. above the
| grotto. The work has been started and will
| cost 100000. The plans include two mag
nificent marble staircases and q large plaza
| that will accommodate thousands of pco-
pie Ii is the Popes intention 10 give public
| audiences on this spot in the near future.
when the weather will permit, instead of
| in the Vatican apartments. and TO publicly
celebrate mass in the chapel on solemn
| occasions. OSSERVATORE.