New-York tribune., 1906-12-12
GREAT STIR At V4TTC4N.
Ihe Pope Declines Responsibility for
Results IN France.

fsoihe Dec. 11.-Great excitement prevails at
the vatican over the situation in France. The
rope received Cardinal Vincent VannuteIn to-
oay. and in the course of the conversation said
that the Vatican declined responsibility for what
might happen in France
Ii Is believed here that the coming conflicts
may prove more serious than those which oc-
Cured at the time OF the taking of the inven-
tories and it is suggested that II worship is held
privately the faithful may have to possess tickets
10 attend mass and other religious ceremonies
The expulsion OF Monsgnor Montagnini has
caused CONSERVATION at the Vatican According
10 vatican officials, this step is evident proof
that the French government wishes. not only to
strike at the Church as religious institution.
put TO represent it as enemy of the republic
and allied with the republics foes Further
more, the officials characterize this step as taken
in split of meanness. as the French govern
ment knows the Vatican cannot because of its
position. as a reprisal indulge in similar action
with the individual who is looking after French
interests in Rome.
The fact that diplomatic relations between
France and the Vatican were ruptured two
years ago adds to the difficulty of the Vatican,
NJ Nisard. the last Ambassador of France to
the Holy See. having left Rome in 1904. Mon
signor Montagnini stayed in Paris after the de-
parture OF the Papal Nuncio in order TO deal
with certain matters pending between France
and the Church. 1t is observed here tonight
that possibly NIonsignor Monta gnini remained
in Paris too long.
Monsignor Montagnini is Italian subject,
and any protest against his expulsion or the
searching of his house must be communicated
to the French government through the Italian
government.
Contrary to his custom, the Pope remained up
oS
reading the kilograms and going over certain
documents concerning the situation in France.
With him at work is Cardinal Merry del Val,
the PapaI Secretary of State. Both the Pope
and the cardinal are being aided by the sub
stitute Secretary of State, Monsgnor Della
Chesa. and the Secretary Extraordinary Of
Ecclesiastical Affairs, Monsignor Gasparri. Per
sons thoroughly familiar with Vatican affairs
say that no such excitement and apprehension
have prevailed at the Vatican as tonight since
the loss of temporal power. The Pope is de-
scribed as caImer than any member of his
household. He is reported 10 have said:
Man cannot fathom all the designs OF Provi-
dence. Perhaps the present triDulations are in
tended only 10 quicken and emphasize the ulti-
mate and inevitable triumph Of the Church.
According 10 reports received at the Vatican
the Catholics Of France are divided into Two
classes-those who identify the interests Of the
Church with their own political interests, using
the Church 10 further he an1i-republican agtta-
tion. and those who think only of the interests
Of the Church.
Many cipher kilograms are being exchanged
between the Vatican and Cardinal Richard. the
Archbishop Of Paris. whom has been in
trusted the matter OF ascertaining if the ezpui-
sion of Monsignor Montagnini and the search
ing of his house are in violation of French law.
The Italian Foreign Office has not received any
communication from the Italian Ambassador at
Paris concerning this incident, and it does not
know whether Monsignor Monta gnini has asked
for the protection of the Italian government or