New-York tribune., 1908-01-27
ITALY CLAIMS THEM.
Contends That 4rt Treasures of the
Tatican 4re State Property.

Copyright, 1905 by the Brentwood Company
1taly's pretenson the ownership OF the Vatican
and her contention that she merely allows its use
10 the Papscy well known But the world at
large has not until now been that the italian
nation also puts forward a vigorous claim to the
priceless collections of and archaeology in fact
to all the treasures contained in the Ponuhcal
palace. This fact has just been brought to light
in connection with question which has neeh
raised as to the right of Pope Plus 10 impose an
entrance fee visiting the Vatican museum as
a soreIy needed source of revenue to the FaPdi
exchequer. Owners of castles and palaces else
where in Europe do not hesitate TO impose a Zee ct
this kind upon tourists desiring TO view ther
picture galleries and their art collections the pro
ceeds ef which in some instances devoted 10
a local charity else to pension fund for the
benefit of the servants more particularly mtrusteo
with the and preservation OF the coiectioh
But to the Pope apparently this right is denied
II seems that during the reign OF Leo ->ili M
negotiations in progress with him fcr the slit
OF some historic work OF art in the Vatican 10 uie
Kaiser. The latter, desirous to avoid any uh-
pleasantness with the Italian government and peo-
pie about the matter, caused his ambassador IN
Rome Count Solms. TO ascertain the views OF the
Italian Cabinet and of Italian law. Senor Crlspl
who was at that time Prime Minister, after due
consultation with his ministerial colleagues. with
the law officers Of the Crown and with the most
eminent Italian jurists. sent over his own name
the following telegram through the Italian Arnbas-
sador at Berlin:
.~rbe Vatican buildings with all the objects of
art they contain are inalienabie properties of
the Italian state. and not of the Papacy. The law
only guarantees the Pope their use but absolutely
forhids him TO remove or dispose of anything"
This telegram, brought 10 light for the first
time and confirmed by the government. is quoted
by Italian authorities for the purpose of show
ing that the Pope has right TO charge any en-
trance fee TO persons wishing to visit the libraries
and the museums of the Vatican. This means that
in the event of the Papaey ever being forced to
quit Rome il would he compelled to lSlve behind
all its treasures its statuary, its paintings, its
n1osaics its tapestries, its libraries and manu-
scripts. its masterpieces of the goldsmiths and
the jewellers arts. and all those other treasures
which contribute TO render the Vatican the great
est storeh0use of all these things in the world
In word. the government. in the matter OF the
propretorship' of the Vatican and of its contents
places the Pope on much the same footing As the
monks Of Certosa d Ema, near Florence, and OF
Monte OIivero Maggiore in the province Of sena
who since the proclamation Of these celebrated
1nonas teries as national property have been al
lowed to remain the capacity of custodians.
The contention Of the Italian government is based
on Articles and Of the so-cailed law of Papal
guarantees. which governs the relations Of the
government and the Pope, and also upon the
law enacted by the Papacy itself as far back as
1920. known the Pacca law. and that hgures
on the statute books of Italy, which. dealing with
the preservation of antiquities of historic or artistic
interest gives the stale title thereto irrespective
Of the proprietary laws of the actual owners lhe
latter are not only prohibited. under the penalty
of conhsca tion. fine and Imprisonment, from dis
posing of these treasures. unless provided with an
authorization from the state, duly specifying each
particular object and rarely granted but are ike
wise liable TO the step in and take pos
session of works of artistic and historic interest
if it is deemed necessary for their preservation.
Thus a piece Of vandalism such that perpe-
trated by a well known peer in England, VINO
firing Of the superb old tapestries that had for
generations adorned the walls of his ancestral
home converted them into carpets ana rugs Tor the
nurseries and playrooms of his children, would De
impossible under Italian law, which authorizes the
authorities at once TO intervene in such and
to compel the owner 10 take proper care OF the
or else to surrender them to the gov
ernmeut