The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1909-03-22
Morton S. Hawkins of indian
apoIis Comes to Defense of
Richmond Man and Gives
History of Case.
ROOSEVELT A FACTOR
is ALLEGATION MADE
Stated That for Political Rea-
sons He Asked Dismissal of
McNutt From Vatican
Storer Figures.

Morton 5. Hawkins OF Indianapolis, 4
former government employee. and a
well known man, has come to the de-
tense of Francis A. McNutt of this
city. He claims that the Richmond
man was dismissed from the vatican
as the result of a conspiracy by Italian
catholics and because he was the vic
tim Of an intrigue of President Roose-
welt and Bellamy Storer. who was the
American ambassador to Rome. A
few days ago the Palladium printed an
explanation of the incident by Mr.. Nc
Mutt, which was published in the In
dianapolis Star. Yesterday the Star
published the letter by Mr.. Hawkins.
which Is exceedingly interesting and is
as follows:
Resents Explanation.
The manner in which The Star pub
fishes and accepts the explanation from
Mr.. Francis A. MacNutt and the spirit
shown is a matter of much regret to
the friends and connections Of Mr..
MacNutt in this country, and especial
ly in Indiana. Certainly an Indiana
man is entitled to better treatment
from home paper.
So far as I know the true story Of
the persecution of Mr.. MacNutt has
never been published, and as I happen
to know the facts as they appear to a
party who Investigated
the matter l ask you to publish them.
Strong Prejudice.
My knowledge of the matter was
gained from friend of his who SEEM
ed to be in a position to know most Of
the facts. 1t is first necessary in con-
the matter to remember that
Mr.. MacNutt is a converted Catholic.
and that in Rome among the Italian
especially the officials of
the church there. there exists a preju-
dice against converted Catholics. and
even more of those holding office in
the church.
Therefore. so my information goes,
when Mr.. MacNutt. a converted Amer.
lean Catholic took up his residence in
Rome. bought one of the finest palaces
and started to entertain extensively.
and finally became an intimate friend
of Pope Leo, and was appointed to the
highest office that Catholic layman
can aspire to, that of honorary cham
berlin to the Pope. and the first Amer
lean who ever attained that honor, why
then the jealous Italians at the Vati-
can began to exert whatever influence
and power they could to undermine
MacNutt and thrust him out of his Of
flee and honors in disgrace.
Storer Incident
About the time that this statement
began the celebrated Bethany Storer
was started. several years be-
fore it became a public matter. AS
it. there is no doubt but
what President Roosevelt had given
much encouragement to the Storers in
their scheme to have Archbishop Ire
land created a cardinal. and when the
project was started the Storers went
to Rome and went at the matter with
very much like political campaign is
run in this country. Having no
of the way such things are
done in Rome. the Storers met with re-
pulse after repulse, and finally miser-
able failure and defeat Not having
consulted MacNutt or asked his help
or advice. the Storers. in looking
around and trying to account for their
figured that MacNutt. being a
person of much influence at the vati-
can, an officer Of the court and init
mate friend Of the Pope. had been the
cause of the failure of their plans.
Roosevelt Takes Hand.
So they accordingly reported this
fact to the president at Washington
and requested that he ask the papal
nuncio at Washington to report to
Rome that MacNutt's presence at the
Vatican was distasteful at Washing
ton At this time. before the Storer
row became public. the president. be-
ing in fact interested in the success
of the mission of the Storers. made
the request. and when it reached
Rome. in connection with the machi-
nations of the Italians in the Vatican.
who were jealous of MacNutt. result
ed in disgrace. This, 80 am told by
people. is the true story
of the false charges made against Mr..
MacNutt. which were later entirely
So the fact is that through misrep-
IO0Antations to President Roosevelt