The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-12-13
ROWE EXPECTS TO TRIUMPH.
cardinal Merry del Val says the Pope Has
sympathy OF The Christian world.
Special Gable Despatch TO THE SUN,

Special cable Despatch 10 THE SUN,
ROME, Dec. IL. cardinal Merry del Val
said to-day that the accord among the
Bishops and clergy OF France in carrying
out the plans Of the Vatican was a guarantee
of the inevitable triumph OF the Church.
He declared that the Pope had the support
of tine whole Christian world.
The Cardinal authorized The Sun CORE
spondent 10 make public the following
statement on his behalf:
THE Pope did not send a letter Of In
structions to the Archbishop Of Paris, as
has been reported, but answered several
questions that had been submitted, dealing
mainly with the conduct Of the French
clergy, especially the parish priests, under
present conditions. The Pope has invari-
ably counselled obedience TO the law, under
protest.
For example,. he instructed the clergy
when ordered under arms to protest, as
they should be exempt, but to obey the
law. Parish priests, expelled from their
churches and prevented from saying mass,
should affirm their rights and submit TO
the law under protest, and abandon their
posts when forced to do so. The law should
he resisted ~passively in oil cases, but always
under protest.
The Vatican until the last moment was
willing 10 treat with the French Govern
ment, being inspired with conciliatory
motives. This was brought 70 the atten-
ton of the Government, but ignored abso-
mtely. No offer of Cancellation was made
until the publication OF Minister Brands
last circular, which was based neither on
| the law of 1881 nor on that Of 1905, giving
sacred functions the character OF publlo
meetings.
Resistance had not yet been decided
upon. There still were hopes that a modus
vivendi would be found. But the circular
rendered impossible any attempt at con-
ellis The Church cannot allow the
will and within of civil authorities to inter
rupt its functions or drag the officiating
priest from the altar.
The French Government wanted war.
BRAND, perhaps. was disposed 20 negotiate
but was overruled by Clemenceau. Viviani
and Clemenceau Dragged yesterday that
the Government had fired the first shot, and
had not used a blank cartridge. Hence the
responsibility for any consequences of the
present war rests on the French Government
and not on the Pope. -
The Vatican = policy has been character
lied by LOYALTY. The proof OF this is that
not a single worn Will Dc VI bdhAp
the French Republic in the 1000 documents
that we're sequestrated in the Paris nuncia-
ture yesterday.
Naturally the Pope had to communicate
with the bishops and was not enabled to
do otherw Use than by addressin" the cor
respondence to Mgr. Monta snini, who
was the caretaker Of the nunciature's arch
ives. Since he is now expelled, another
ill -orIoaa him Tho aaiz1fro nf the arch
ives was illegal, as the archives were in
violable. The Vatican will protest, but
the act already has been condemned by
the whole world"
Cardinal Merry del Val was quite calm
While delivering his statement. He denied
that any of his secretaries were stopped at
the frontier by the French officials yester-
day. None of them, he.said, hadIeft Rome.
The Vatican's announced decision, not
TO publish here the documents containing
the instructions to the French episcopate,
possibly will be changed, owing TO the
seizure of the Vatican correspondence and
communications, which It was intended TO
have published in France. They may be
published here, with a view to their trans
mission to France through the newspapers
The SUN correspondent is informed that
the Pope intended 10 complain TO the Catho-
lie Powers against the Sc arch Of the papal
~nuciature in Paris, on the ground that IL
was still covered by the extraterritorial
privilege. But as the protest would have
to include the expulsion Of Mgr. Montag-
mini, who is covered by no diplomatic priv
ilese, but is simply an Italian subject whom
the Italian Government ought TO have pro-
tected, the idea OF lodging a protest was
abandoned, lest Franoo-Italian com plica-
tons might be created.
1t was a strange coincidence that at the
moment when France was searching the
house of Mgr. Montagnini, the secretary Of
the former Nuncio TO France, the last func'
tionary Of Frances late embassy to the
Vatican, who was guarding the archives
died suddenly. The French Embassy to the
Ouirinal has sealed the archives.
IL is stated that Cardinals Rampolla an6
Matthew openly disapprove Of the Papal
policy in France. All the other members
Of the Sacred College either stoutly support
it or silently acquiesce. Some are quoted
as admitting that apparently the united