New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-11-04
MORGAN RETURNS COPE.
MAKES PRESENT TO ITALY
GoUernment of That Country to
Haze the Relic.

iHe ancient ecclesiastical cope which was
''oieh from the cathedral of Ascoii. Italy. two
y''S ago and later purchased by ]. PierpOnt
NioIsdh mas been presented TO the Italian gov
eminent by Mr.. Morgan The presentation was
made through Baron e Mayor des Planches
the Italian Ambassador who called by appoint
Hleht on Mr.. Morgan IN this city yesterday
Inc cope Is now in the Victoria and Albert
museum. at South Kensington England Mr.
morgan having lent II to that institution
In announcing that the relic was to be pre-
scented 10 his government the Ambassador paid
high compliment to Mr. Morgan and said that
the Importance of the gift from Italian point
OF view could not be overestmated.
The announcement will be received with the
keenest satisfaction by all Italians" he de-
clared. The delicacy of the situation which
followed the purchase OF the cope by Mt Nor
gan was fully realized. and his voluntary offer
to present the relic to the Italian government
was gladly accepted. II was a most gracious
act upon Mr.. Morgans part and will win for
him the gratitude OF the whole Italian people"
When he was invited by his government to
open negotiations with Mr.. Morgan looking to
the eventual return OF the cope Ambassador
des Planches said he called 10 his assistance
General di Cesnola, director Of the Metropol-
tan Museum of Art. in this city. To General di
Cesnola Mr.. Morgan intimated that II only he
could be sure that the relic was stolen he would
not hesitate to place II in the hands Of its
owners. Finally the meeting between the AM
basssdor and Mr.. Morgan was arranged for
yesterday.
Mr.. Morgan then announced his decision He
said that he felt justified in making the pur-
chase at the time he made 1t. He had no rea-
son to question the right Of possession Of the
person from whom he made the purchase. and
. n nj fHa fnrfo
and Albert Museum in good faith He valued it
very highly but in view OF the discussion and
OF the fact that the right of possession was
questioned he had determined to settle the en-
tire affair by presenting IT to the Italian gov
eminent.
Some time may elapse before the relic act
ualIy comes into possession of the government
said the Amba ssador, as II must be released
from the museum at South Kensington IN the
usual manner. He considered that of second
airy Importance, however.
The cope was presented by Pope Nicholas "
to AscoI, his native place 1t is a French work
Of the thirteenth century, and is OF the
finest specimens of fetal art of that period that
have been preserved.
1t was in 1902 that the cope was stolen from
the cathedral Of Ascoli while repairs be-
ing made the building Every effort to trace
1t discover the thieves failed until last July.
when letter appeared in the "Gornale d'Italia"
from Signor Ricci, the director OF the Galleries
of Florence saying that the cope was on eX-
hibition at the South KeHsington Museum
where it appeared the property of "a we'll
known American collector
A month later. at Ascol Monsignor Sanlarelh,
the rector and several priests were summoned
to appear before the court which was tnvesti-
eating the theft of the cope. Two days later it
became known that RocChiggiani, the photog
rapher who had been arrested IN connection
with the case had committed suicide by hang
ing In his cell. ROcchiggiani left a note stating
that he was innocent and intimating that the
real thief was one high in Italian circles. The
search for the Culprt culprits has since been
conducted with considerable care but no trace
has been obtained.
Some time ago a movement to raise a suth-
cient sum of money TO purchase the cope was
begun in Italy. but in view Of yesterdays an
nouncement nothing more will be done in that
direction.