New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-05-18
GATEWAY TO VATICAN.
ROAD TO SEA PLANNED.
II. c. Kerens Says Project Is Not to
Restore Tenn pOraI PO1Cer.

, r c. Kerens, former member Of the Repub-
j.! lican National Committee from Missouri. who
, has Just returned from Europe. where he had
! a private audience with Pope Plus X. last
| night gave to The Tribune the facts upon which
! Il fancitul story was printed N some American
! papers two weeks ago. This story ran that Mr.
! Kerens and Martin Maoney. a well known
/ fnancier OF Philadelphia, interested in the
| purchase OF an extensive strip Of land from the
! Vatican in Rome 20 the Mediterranean over
| which the Pope should have extraterritoriaI
| rights and which would he the first step in the
restoration 20 him Of his temporal power among
/ the nations OF the world.
AS matter Of fact, the idea which Mr.
| Kerens says belongs 10 Mr. MaIoney alone is
| simply 70 obtain a narrow strip Of land 10 the
| sea. which would enable the Pope TO escape
| from the secIusion OF the narrow confines OF
| the Vatican.
| Y never heard Of the project until IN Rome
recently" said Mr.. Kerens, when asked about
the plan last night Cardinal satoIi who vas
! the first PapaI Delegate 10 the United States
gave 4 breakfast to his American friends. The
! talk tutned the falling of great wall in the
| Vatican gardens the day before. That CONVEX
sation led 20 a discussion Of the Popes dominion.
and Il was said by OF the cardinals that for
! forty-one years the successor Of Saint Peter
! had been a prisoner within thes confines OF his
! eAtTaterTitorial domain.
In the course OF the conversation HIr. Ma
/ loney said he ha1 pet project which he would
/ announce for the first time. He said II. had
! been his mind for several years and he was
enthusiastic in the belief that II could be carried
I out He said Il was a project 20 secure by ebso-
| lutte purchase a strip OF land az least 100 feet
/ wide from the Vatican gardens 20 the sea. and
| that this strip OF land should be added 70 the
! thirty-hve acres % ground which the Pope has
for his only possession. and that Il should be
| considered eKtraterr!tor.al
TO MAKE GREAT HIGHWAY
His idea he said. was to have this strip Of
| land converted into great highway-such a
! road Napoleon built through Southern
France. Every four or I'VE or six or eight miles
he said. he would procure an extra piece Of
! ground OF from ten TO twenty acres for park
His idea that this territory should be con-
trolled for all time by the Pope but should De a
highway FOR ali the nations. he wanted 10 have
81 beau;ined and 20 have a little ha-bor where
there should be provided a seaworthy steam
yacht or vessel by which the Holy Father could
~ any time have access 10 the sea. once upon
the high he could visit any part OF the
world. especially his beloved Venice. The idea
OF Mr. Maloney was that all Christian nations
would Join IN such a project showing their sym
patty and good will for the Prince OF Peace
Mr. Maloney was enthusiastic and painted
brilliant picture OF this freedom for the Holy
Father. whom he declared to be the most worthy
and profound parsonage IN all the world He
promised large financial backing within his in
dividual reach was charmed with the plan.
"a were all present but the subject was never
afterward discussed.
Later. IN more thoughtful discussion with
Mr.. Maloney and a few gentlemen II was sug-
gested that the consent and earnest co-opera-
ton Of the Italian government would be abso-
lUtely necessary Another requisite would be a
law Incorporating a company. international in
its character. sanctioned by the King u Italy
and passed by the parliament Of the country.
giving the right OF eminent domain and the
right 20 condemn the same as is done by the
Incorporation laws of the United States
This IS all know OF the project. To Martin
Maloney belongs the credit absolutely and
want 20 express my admiration for him
would help him. OF course. and would consider
II an honor to be connected with such an under
taking. but without the laws and the sanction
# would be difficult OF accomplishment"
Mr.. Kerens IS one Of those who believe that
some day there will be reconciliation between
the QUirinal and the Vatican.
THINKS RECONCILIATION Will. COME.
1T seems to far seeing people that some day
there Will be such reconcilia ton" he said. II
should come, and a slight amendment to the Law
Of guarantee passed thirty years ago or more
BY the italian Parliament would bring bout a
peaceful and sublime uniHcation Of the Kins
and the Pope. wise was Emperor Will
lam when he journeyed 10 Rome soon after his
coronation 20 pay his respects and homage 10
the then reigning poHtin Peace and good Will
have existed IN Germany ever since"
Mr.. Kerens said he was sure the plan " Mi
MaIoney had not been suggested 10 the Pope
before IL was announced at the breakfast Of
Cardinal SatoHi. and he could not say whether
il was conveyed % him later or not
referring TO his own audience with the Pope
Mr.. Kerens said: His holiness was gracious in
his praise OF the American nation. The United
States OF North America. as he termed US j. TO
him the brightest spot in all the world at this
time. l took occasion 10 say 10 him that
would soon have one hundred millions OF people
who would rank high with the Christian nations
OF the world in energy. sjeadfastnrss and love
Of justice. and that Il would be 4 gracious act
bestOw more conspicuous recognition on
my country. | told him II believed our
nation entitled TO several cardinals. where
as. although are power among the ma
lions OF The earth, we have only prince OF
the Church accredited 10 H. The Holy Father
placed hts hands his heart IN expression OF
approval
-EuNE9aI OF BISHOP FITzGERAI0