St. Tammany farmer., 1908-06-20

( John Chrysostom should naturally have been
the occasion of splendid ceremonies in St. Peters, but
largest Christian church earth easily holds
10000 people at once, and crowd of that size
would be practically uncomfortable in of sud-
of violence the services not held there at
ALL but inside the Vatican palace where attendance
necessarily limited SO that cards of admission could
be given with much strict knowledge to who
would them.
The precautions seemed to optimistic people quite
Aeedess events reported within that week seemed
to show that they merely prudent. The anniver
sary of the execution of Giorando Bruno Che put to
death in Rome in 1900 for teaching unorthodox vews
made the occasion of impassoned speeches by
cast and revolutionary orators in the square where the
execution took place 1t is mile from the
Vatican, but Italians know Italians pretty WELL the
took chances of letting excited throng
towards the papal palace; troops sta
toned at various points to head off attempt at in
cendiary demonstrations in that ne and at the Vatican
itself extra guards detailed for duty
The Vatican itself, the greatest palace in the world,
has in times past its share of exciting experiences
but it is not actually likely that it will Of
the tragic sort American tourists in Rome have
had pointed to them certain long, covered passage
way, sort Of walled bridge leading crookedly down
from the papal palace to the ancient fortress by the
Tiber known the Castle of St Angelo In the middle
ages, when the popes hand in European politics,
more than of ST. Peters Wears found that long pro-
tected passageway useful path to the safe shelter of the
citadel But to-day all is different Nobody touside half
civilized Russia) dreams of killing off heretics And
the other hand the longer controls European
politics. 1t would be only stupid piece of brutality for
fanatic to attempt personal violence against the
present head of the Catholic church
All the same, since good way to avoid trouble
Is to be prepared for trouble the papal household in
the Vatican is admirably organized for the security of
the great palace and it's treasures and its occupants
And, at least in ten of all the people of the
United States sends money every year the Vatican
(not directly but through church oferings) it is Of
interest know something about the maintenance of
vast establishment out there the western limits of
the historic city Of Rome.
most people know, the palace is actually not
building but huge, rambling group of buildings The
adjoining park Is surrounded by high wall which
upon time formed part of system of fortifcaions
but which present merely looks imposing could
fact demolished without the slightest difficulty If
body of men wanted to make trouble. -
Outside the main entrance to the palace ST. Peters
square one sees few Italian policemen ordinarily
great display of protection but just enough to remind
the passerby that the spot has special importance And
curiousy enough those Roman policemen practically
frontier guards; the Vatican itself and its grounds
are not part the kingdom Of Italy at ALL but under
the separate sovereignty of the pope Inside the Vatican
doorway the king of Italy has technically no
thority than Kaiser Wilhelm the president of the
United States e. authority at ALL On the threshold
and in spacious corridor beyond always stationed
certain defenders of the palace household the famous
Swiss guards They gayy cad-indeed their appear
nee suggests pageant rather than battlefield, but 1t
would not be safe to infer that they mere stage
supernumeares They have stern traditions of heroism
to live UP to- 1927 band of just such guards wearing
aust such gorgeous toggery held their ground for six