The Washington herald., 1909-04-25
SECRETS OF VATICAN
If Divulged They Would
Overthrow Monarchies.
ITALY HELPS GUARD THEM
which Claims Owner
ship Of Great Center of CathoII-
cism and All It's FabuIOusIy Rich
stores, Takes Every Precaution
Possible to Prevent LOOting.
Br RUDOLPH DE zAPP.


4 week ago to-day. the 4O5d anniversary
OF the laying Of the corner stone Of the
Vatican Basiiica. by Pope Julius IL, IN
1895. took place. The occasion, however,
was hardly observed in Rome. excepting
by students Of ecclesiastical history
Bramante was the first architect CHOSEN
to erect the immense pile Of St. Peters.
and his designs were Followed more or
less. excepting as to the dome and the
.eoIonnade in front OF the church. which
were planned by Michael Angelo.
From documents still preserved in the
Vatican BaSilica. Il appears that. Tor the
erection Of the dome. Michael Angelo was
paid in all $500 = letter has been dis
covered. written BY the great Florentne
sculptor. and addressed 70 Cardinal Da
Carpis. in which the artist complains that
for seventeen years ne had attended TO
the work OF construction gratis. by COM
mand Of the Pope Il would be possible
70 make ont just how much the great
church has cost. because most Of the re-
ceipts from workmen. contractors and
artists are stin TO be found In the arc
hives OF the Vatican and OF the Chapter
Of Canons. excluding the pap9l aIiG other
precious monuments erected within the
church by many p0pes. Il is estimated
that in the 80 years Il took 10 complete
it. more than 5000 Co was expended in
the work Of construction alone
Government Claims 1t.
notwithstanding that the papacy de-
frayed all expenses IN connection with
the various buildings from the contribu-
tons Of the faithful all over the world,
the italian government again and again.
has announced that il, az the Italian
people. are the real owners Of the Vatican.
including its art treasures, Libraries. gold
and silver. jewels. antiques. &c. The
principle Is lsid down by the italian gov
eminent IN a dispatch sent By the late
Premier Crispi 20 the Italian ambassador
n Berlin. and which has only recently
come To light
Crisp informs the ambassador that the
German government had inquired in
Rome what italy meant 70 do 81 the Pope
should decide 90 demand entrance fees 10
the Vatican museums
Report 20 the German government
NAT This is a matter OF interior Italian
politics. and that We VIII not discuss IL.
except as a matter % information.
writes CTispi The dispatch continues
Since the Pope is 10 longer King Of
Rome. and the Vatican palaces. with an
they contain. are now the invlolable
property Of the Italian nation The Pope
has no right whatever 20 charge adrnis-
sion % the museums. &c. for. under the
law of guarantees. he Is but the bene-
1ciary CT the Vatican properties, our
tenant The establishment Of entrance
fees 10 galleries. &c. owned by the Italian
nation IS equivalent % Ievying taxes. and.
IN ievying taxes the Pope. being no
longer a sovereign. is assuming rights
that do not properly belong 10 him
state secrets in Archives.
No palace in the world is an object OF
more solicitudc to the reigning houses
OF Europe than the Vatican The anxiety
in the matter is not concerned entirely
with the safety Of the Pope and the vel
fare Of the administration OF the Catholic
Church.
II IS due largely. 10 the fact that in
the archives Of the Vatican are contained
secrets OF vast dynastic import, the rev
eiaJioB o. which would. in some cases.
s'.atter the foundations Of thrones. and
grdveiy affect the status of many of
those families which now enjoy actual
or honorary sovereign rank +; is well
known that the Vatican has. for a num-
ber Of years past come in for a large
share Of attention on the part Of the
leaders OF International anarchy. who
look forward 10 the day when they viii
be able To storm the palace OF the popes.
and 20 plundeT at their viii the treasures
be filed.
IN fact. il IS a common SAYING that
there is no hVilding in the universe that
can boast of such vast boards CT wealth
OF every description. representing as they
do the offerings and the tribute Of the
faithful from ali quarters OF the globe.
and which have gone on accommodating
there for centuries.
SO well does the Italian government
realize the extent 10 which the Vatican
IS an object OF cupiGity 10 the anarchists.
that IN all cases of popular unrest and
disturbance in the eternal city. troops
are al once massed. not a7oug the kings
residence. The QUirinal. but about the
abode Of the POntiff. TO protect il against
any coup on the part Of the reds: and il
is a noteworthy fact. that on each mani
festation OF any weakness on the part
Of the Italian authorities IN dealing with
popular Tisings. anarchist leaders have
hsstened TO the eternal city. not only
from different points OF Europe. but even
from Ihis side Of the Atlantic
Would Loot Vatican.
Among these anarchists who yearn for
the opportunity Of lootlng the Vatican
an opportunity which they are convinced
viii come soon or late-are a number
Of men OF exceptional learning. The most
dangerous and the most fanatic of this
cult, who are planning 10 capture the
great stronghold and headquarters OF