Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-12-13

advised activity in his behalf. He has
frequently begged the Storers to let his
affairs alone; he has frequently explained
to them that their zeal in his behalf was
doing him injury, but Mrs. Storer, like
good many other Intellectual and strong
minded women, can no more be deferred
from doing what she considers her duty
than the north wind can be turned from it's
course by the shivering birds in a frozen
forest.
The divisions in the Catholic Church in
the United States have long been such
that the pope has hesitated to appoint a
new cardinal. No one of the archbishops
has received the united support of the
American church and he has tried to avoid
an appearance of favoring one faction
over another. If the President of the
United States could be induced to express
a preference among the various aspirants
for the cardinalate it would simplify the
situation, and both President Roosevelt and
portunities to offer their advice or mention
their desires in this matter But they have
steadfastly refused to do SO, and, for obvi-
GUS reasons, have carefully avoided saying
anything that might be construed as &C
cepting any Of the responsibility that the
pope would like to throw upon them. 1t is
the custom of Plus x to ask almost every
American visitor who the President of the
United States would prefer for cardinal,
and he has repeatedly been advised that it
was impossible for the head Of our govern
ment to interest himself in such matters.
1t has also been explained to him repeated
ly that it would be fatal to the political
aspirations of any public man in the
United States to take part in such cor1tro-
versies But Mrs. Storer not only had the
courage to undertake an active campaign
at the Vatican in behalf of her favorite,
but has assumed the responsibility of in
terfering again and again in other matters
In such a way as to embarrass the hier-
archy of the church in the United States
and the officials Of the Vatican as we'll as
the administration Of the government. The
manner in which her zeal has been regard
ed is indicated in the letter from the cardi-
nal secretary of state which is published
by Mr.. Storer in his pamphlet. He adj
vises her in so many words to mind her
own business.
The american Ambassadors"
When she heard that Secretary Taft was
going to Rome to negotiate with the holy
see for the adjustment of matters in the
Philippines she undertook to prepare the
way for him, and her energy and zeal
came very near breaking up the whole ar
rangement. Secretary Hay wrote Mr..
Storer several letters on this subject and
cautioned him that he must keep his wife
at home and prevent her from interfering
with official matters. But while Mr.. Storer
man, he cannot do what Is impossible.
Mrs. Storer is known all over Europe as
the American ambassadress to the Vatican
If you will go to Madrid and talk with
the politicians, newspaper men, or the
members of the diplomatic corps your will
hear some interesting gossip about Mrs.
Storer's performances there. and will learn
the reason why she was so anxious to Sc
cure transfer from Madrid to one of the
other European capitals. Her name has
frequently appeared in the newspapers of
mentary manner. She has several times
been reprimanded very sharply for taking
too active an interest In Spanish politics
and has even been caricatured in the comic
papers. / once saw a cartoon showing the
wife Of the American minister at Madrid
striding in great haste toward the cortes
with miniature monks sticking out Of her
pockets ana through her gtrdle. This car
tempts to change the policy Of the Spanish
parliament toward the religious orders.
She acquired an unenviable notoriety in
that connection and was credited with
causing the overthrow of the ministry by
stirring up strife among various connictinS
interests in Spain.
Taxation of Church Estates.
The chief political issue in Spain for
many years has been the taxation of the
property owned by the monks and nuns
and the large business enterprises that
are conducted by them for profit The re-
ngious orders in Spain are very rich. It is
estimated that they own nearly one-half
of the taxable property In the kingdom, in
the shape of plantations, vineyards, manu-
factories business blocks. residences and
other real estate. The agent Of the Vest
| inghouse Company, which proposed to es-
tablish branch works in Spain. told me
| that he had examined twenty of the most
favorable locations and every one Of them
belonged to the monks. Private manufac-
| turers, merchants, farmers and private
| owners of real estate have long demanded
| that the monks who are in business COM
petition with them should be compelled to
pay the same taxes that they are compelled
| to pay and the liberal party has adopted
that proposition as a part OF It's program.
/ While Mr.. Storer was our minister In
Madrid the liberal majority in the Spanish
| parliament passed law calling upon ali
| religious orders to report to the depart
| ment of taxes all property owned by them;
| all industries in which they are interested,
| with detailed statements of their assets,
profits, expenditures and other informa-