The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1908-02-17
POPE Plus GUARDED
Gets Threatening Letters
Since Lisbon Tragedy.
HEALTH Is MUCH IMPROVED
Extraordinary PrecnutiOu Taken in
Vatican Gardens, where the Pope
Driyes-ItmIinn Government Details
Special Guard for Outside Walls.

Rome. Feb. lG.-Since the assassination
Of the Portuguese King and crown prince
the Pope has been in fear Of his own life.
1t is asserted threatening letters have
been received recently al the Vatican as
sorting Plus Y will sooner or later meet
the same fate. These caused great con-
ceFn to the Vatican authorities and 20 the
.prelates surrounding the Pope. because
they consider themselves personally re-
sponsible for the Pope's safety.
Extraordinary precautions have been
taken, especially in the Vatican gar
.den1 where the Pope takes every day
ais promenade and rides. Gardiner and
Paiatine Guards are scattered over the
grounds about the time the Pope is due
TO appear The Popes carriage now is
always followed By two mounted noble
guards. which has not been the ease
since the death OF Lee XIII, who always
insisted on this.
The Italian government has been noti-
fed OF the Popes fears and has arranged
for a regular patrol OF police and cara
bineeTs 10 watch outside the walls in
tAcSlLls the aIcttu EIoQnGt-
sharp Watch ON All Visitors.
At the palace every person entering is
closely scrutinized. not only by the swiss
guards or duty at the bronze portals.
but also by the gendarmes stationed in
the Court Of san DamasO. The Pope
has refused for several days 70 take his
usual promenade and rides in a carriage
when he descends 10 the gardens. lie is
generally accompanied By two Of his
prelates, who ride ia the same csrrIa ge
with him. and all the gardeners employed
in the Vatican grounds have been ordered
10 keep a sharp watch on intruders.
The cordial relations between the Watt
can authorities and the Italian govern
ment since the election OF the present
Pope seem 10 have come 10 an end. This
Is due TO several causes. principal among
which is the failure OF the Italian gov
eminent 20 repress the aEti-clerical man
hestatiOns in this country some weeks
ago
Then there is the agitation going on
over an Italy 70 suppress religious in
structiOn in the public schools which the
government has not attempted 20 repress.
Several lawsuits have been brought
against the government by religious or
ders, and even the vicar general OF Rome
is interested in one OF therl All these
suits refer 10 property rights. and could
not have been brought without the per
mission Of TIE Vatican authorities.
Pope an Astute Politician.
But lhe principal bone Of contention is
the interference which It is alleged the
Pope has tried to exercise on the politi-
cal elections Of the country by ordering
all Catholic societies 20 organize for the
probable forthcoming dissolution OF Par
lament The Pope wishes 20 see a num-
Der Of Catholic deputies elected 70 Par
lament in order 20 protect the Catholic
Interests Of this country.
Some object 20 this action Of the Popc
and call it a wanton interference in poll
tics Plus y is a politician As Patriarch
OF Venice he stayed ali auti-clerical feel
ing ~ obtaining a majority In the mu-
nicIPal council and now that he is the
supreme pontiff he is determined 10 pro
tect the religious interests Of Italy no
matter AT what cost
Since the arrival here OF Baron ,1n
Muhlenberg. the new Prussian minister
accredited 10 the Vatican. Diplomatic re-
lations between the Vatican authorities
and the German government have I'M
proved. II is expected that when En-
peror William goes on his cruise 10
Corfu and the Mediterranean Sea. he viii
visit the Pope TO thank him personally
for his good Offices
POntinrs Health Better.
proved. This is the opinion OF DIT Mac
chiafava. his consulting physician. who
was called 20 attend him when he suf-
feTed from severe attack OF sore throat
His regular physician. Dr. Petacci. was
afraid 70 assume Alone responsibility for
the case, so he sent for his colleague. who
Is Well-knOwu professor in d Roman
university. Dr. Macchiafava insisted in
making a thorough examination OF the
Pope's physical condition. and came 20
the conclusion that Plus Y would live
many more years. and that his equity at
tacks are only superficial ones. Plus Y
has 10 submit 10 a strict regimen Of diet
under the direction OF his physicians.
As a consequence Of the recent celebra-
ton of the twenty-ffth centennial of the
death OF St John Chrysostom. which was
attended by the Pope IN the Sistine Chapel.
il is hoped in Vatican circles that the
Greek Church soon will become united
with the Roman and recognize the Pope
as its supreme chief. For the first time
since the twenty-hfth century, Greek
prelates were allowed to take part in d
Vatican ceremony, and their qualification
was shown when at meeting held under
the presidency OF Cardinal VannuseIIe.
pF "a
union with the Church Of Rome. Several
other meetings have been held since. one
in the presence Of the Pope according
10 reports circulated in Vatican circles. il
has been arranged 20 counsel the church
authorities IN Greece TO join forces with
Rome
Three EmperOrs to Cruise.
According TO reports which have reach
ed here, there will be three Emperors
cruising in their yachts in the Mediter-
ranean Sea in the spring. One Of them
is the German Emperor. who wiz visit
his newly purchased property Of Achil-
leon. In the Island Of Corfu. which has
recently been redecorated and is still in
the hands OF workmen. Another SOW
ereisn who is expected is Edward VII.
who will also probably visit Corfu, and
there meet his imperial nephew.
The most startling announcement is
that the Gar of Russia, accompanied by
the Czarina and all his children, VIII also
pay e visit TO the Mediterranean Sea. 1t
is asserted that owing TO the Czarina' 5
poor health, her physicians have insisted
that the voyage 10 southern and milder
climates be made. and tlat the German
Emperor has placed at the disposal OF
the Russian sovereign his villa OF Achil-
leon.
There is no doubt entertained heCa that
the Russian sovereigns viii on the occa-
sion pay a visit to some Italian port.
nrnha bly, Nanles and n Is thnnaat tkn..