The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1907-05-27


Val is to retire trom the Office Of the
secretary of state for Pope Piux X. is
not new, for. during the troublous days
which have followed the carrying out
OF the Vatican's policy in France, and
for which the cardinal is said to be
largely responsible, it has been fire.
quently heard. but the present report
coming through private sources,
seems to indicate that this important
change is one Of the certainties of the
near future, and when it comes it is
thought that it will, In measure, al
ter the present policy of the pope.
Cardinal Merry Del Val was just en-
tering his thirty-ninth year when he
became secretary Of the apostolic see,
and because of his scholastic attain
ments and his theological training it
was considered that he was peculiar
ly well-iitted to discharge the vast and
Understanding duties OF his Office. At
that time he was already distinguished
as theologian and deep student Of
church history. Latin was to him al
most like a mother tongue; he spoke
and wrote like an educated native Eng
lish, French, Spanish, German and
italian. But while some regarded him
as a fine product of the English
schools of Slough. Ushaw and Stony
hurst. as youth grown into manhood
Eunder the liberal ideas OF an English
mother, as rational Catholic of the
Manning Newman type, others remem-
bered him as the son Of Spanish dip
lomat, and recalled the years be had
/ spent In the most aristocratic ecclesi-
astical circles Of Paris and Madrid,
with all their inviting reactionary in.
fluences, and recognized in him som
ber Spanish prelate below his veneer
of English training
BY no means the least to be consid
cred Of the cardinals qualifications Is
his address and bearing, In both oi
which respects he has enjoyed an ad
vantage over the leaders of other Eu
ropean chancellories. His knowledge
Of the languages Of different countries
has been an ever present aid to him II
his official communications with tbs
leaders OF the church In thought ant
government in various parts OF th'
world, and it has also facilitated hi
intercourse with all with whom he hal
been brougIlf in contact from foreign
lands. Being in the very prime Of lif'
and possessed of good health, he hai
shown a power Of application and
zeal and devotion to the interests 0
the church which have surprised hi
friends and been the cause OF mucl
worry and trouble to those who hayl
opposed him and the things for whicl
he stood.
Few papal secretaries. perhaps. hav
been so severely criticised as has bee
Cardinal Merry Del Val. for it ha
been thought that he. even more tha
the holy father himself, is responsible
for the encyclical of last August d.
nouncing the French separation la'
and torbidding Catholics to obey i
The powers of the papal secretary Z
state are considerable. The Office ha
been evolved from the time when tn
pope had representative at nearly a
the courts of Europe. and so at til
present time the duties and respons
bilities Of the Office are about half-wa
between the German and the Englis
ministries of foreign affairs.
If the cardinal does resign his ofic
: and relinquish this vast power, 1t
certain that it will come as resu
Of dissatisfaction on the part Of th
pope with the policy pursued, In fax
it is said that as long as two year
ago the pope felt displeased over Ii
papaI note which his secretary ha
framed protesting to France and Ii
Catholic powers against the propose
visit OF President Loubet to Rom
To those who are familiar with the i
side history of things it is known thl
Plus x, did not wish to send It bl
allowed himself to be overruled by b
secretary Of state.
When the effect Of the note WI
realized by the pope. a change in Il
secretaryship Of state was limited q
J but Of this many were skeptical, for
! was pointed out that Plus x. was vel
: determined in matters il which !
was sure of his ground. hut where !