The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-04-05
CARDINAL CONFERS
WITH PRESIDENT
Catholic Dignitary Evades
Query on Rome Incident.
DIPLOMATS DISCUSS SITUATION
Archbishop Falconio UphOIds Pom
tIn's ActiOn-Says Question In
yOIved Was Dignity. Not Religion.
Protestant CIergymen Rap Vatican
and Laud Roosevelt.

Cardinal Gibbons called at the State
Department yesterday and had a talk
with Secretary Knox. A little later Mr.
Knox called at the White House execu-
tive offices and conferred with President
Taft. Secretary Knox had hardly left
the White House when Cardinal Gibbons
and Rev. Father Russell. rector of ST.
Pstricks. arrived and were shown into
President Tafts Offices.
Conference ArOuses Interest.
This visit of the highest dignitary of
the Catholic Church in this country, fol-
lowing so soon after the Roosevelt Incl
dent In Rome aroused a deal of interest.
At the State Department, however, it was
said that Cardinal Gibbons conference
with Secretary Knox had absolutely MOTH
ing 10 do with the recent events in
Rome and that Mr. ROosevelt's name
was not mentioned.
II is said that the meeting had only TO
do with departmental affairs
AT the White House il was also said
Cardinal Gibbons visit had nothing TO do
with Mr.. Roosevelts cancellation Of his
appointment at the Vatican. It was said
that Cardinal Gibbons had made his ap-
pointment with President Taft a week
ago. Even that date. however. was after
Mr.. Roosevelt had sent his final message
TO Ambassador Leishman announcing his
decision not to attend the audience at
the Vatican under the proposed restric-
tons
President Is in Fine Health.
AS the cardinal was leaving the Ex-
ecutive Offices, he stopped TO chat for
minute or two with the correspondents.
He was asked If he would make any
comment on the incident in Rome.
NO" said he; that's too delicate a
matter to talk about.
AS the cardinal was stepping into his
taxicab. one Of the newspaper men asked
if the President had referred TO the Incl
dent.
The President" said CARDINAL Gibbons,
raising his hat and bowling, is in ex-
cellent health"
Archbishop Falconio, papal delegate to
the\United States. had this to say:
so far have received no communica-
ton from Rome and know only what ap-
pears in the public press. 1t is certain
the Pope has the highest esteem for Col
Roosevelt. both as a private individual
and as former President of the United
States; also hat ne was looking forward
with pleasure 70 meeting him
Insulting Methodist Agitation.
In the case of Col. Roosevelt, as in
that of Mr. Fairbanks, 1t was not at all
a question of religion. but OF the seif-re-
spect and dignity of the Apostolic See
Col. Roosevelt could have gone to any
other Protestant churches in Rome, and
even, as would have appeared from re-
ports, to the Methodist. after his recep-
ton by the Pope
Latter all that has been said. it is IN
necessary TO insist that their insulting
agitation and offensive proseiytism con-
stitute a real warfare against the holy
father and the Catholic religion. and that
in the very heart of his ancient and ven
cradle seat 1t must be remembered that
the holy father considers himself as SOW
ereign ruler. and as such is recognized
by other nations
Besides, as the head OF at least $50
100000 Catholics, he has a right to special
consideration and ought himself TO be
the best judge of what that means.
Every government has its etiquette, or
rules, to protect the Office and position
of its ruler.
The circumstance that in Rome the
Methodists have organized themselves
as an anti-Vatican party makes it inn
possible for the holy father to recognize
them IN any way, much less to strength
en- them in the eyes OF the Catholics OF
Italy
1t is extremely unpleasant. to say the
least that this violent agitation should
have become public On the occasion of
the visit to Rome of distinguished Amer |
lean citizens"
Catholics VIII Admire Roosevelt.
1t it thought here that if the Pope had
had any communication to make to the
State Department in reference to the
incident it would have come
through Archbishop Falconio.
Rev Father Fleming, vice president of
University. thought that all
Catholics will admire the sane and sensi.
bic view of the situation taken by Mr..
Roosevelt
"of course" said he. every politician |
viii try to make capital out of IL The |
truth is, however, that there is not q /
catholic in America who will not admire /
President Roosevelt for the clever way /
n which he has acted in regard TO this /
matter. The fact that he succeeded in
keeping the incident out of the newspa-
oers until he made a full statement
showed that he is a wise and far-seeine
nan OF course, Mr.. Roosevelt is now q
private citizen. Even had he been a
representative OF the American nation
md had certain conditions imposed on
lis audience with the Pope, it would have
zen nothing more than has happened in
ne case of rulers of other countries"
Several Catholics expressed the opln-
On that the situation might result in q
leter uudprSta Odine on sox,o +ts--