New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1910-04-07
MERRY DEL Walls VIEW
A Question of Common Court
csy. II Is saba Comment.

y
cincinnati. April S.-Cardinal Merry del
Val. through Monsignor Kennedy. rector Of
the American college at Rome, IN dis
patch TO The Cincinnati Times-Star' to-
day from the Italian capital. gives the fol-
lowing version OF the Rooseyelt-Natican in
cident.
When all Is said ard done, Il was n
question Of common courtesy. The Holy
See did not impose upon Mr. Roosevelt, as
mas wrongly been asserted, the condition OF
not approaching Methodists or other non
Catholic religious bodies in Rome There
are several non-Cathohr centres in the civ
which do not behave in bitterly hostile
and offensive manner toward the pope aud
toward everything that his holiness and al!
Catholics hold most dear.
The Methodist centre in the Via XIX
Settembre Systematically Joins hands with
the worst and most anti-cleriCal and anti
papal elements in the city. and they do so
VIGOROUSLY and in the most aggressive and
insulting manner. Mr.. Roosevelt himself
has had n mild and limited sample Of their
attitude ir the declaration just published
by them. which he has felt bound 10 dig
avow.
The Holy See. after the unfortunate
Fairbanks incident had every reason to
fear that Mr.. Roosevelt unwitting1y and in
perfect good faith might he led into show
ing open sympathy ane friendship for this
hostile centre Of aggression against the
Catholic Church in the heart Of the Cath
Ole world
Consequently. when Mr. Roosevelt ap-
Piled indirectly and confdentiaIly for an
audience with his holiness. the Pope. the
wish was cOurteously expressed that he
would avoid being dragged into the Objec-
tionabIe position of appearing publicly TO
support the offensive campaign against the
Pope i'm his own residence
Mr.. Roosevelt replied. refusing all con-
ditions or agreements. and thus allowed the
possibility of his accomplishing what would
be offensive to his holiness
This was amply confirmed by his own
secretary, Mr.. OLaughlin. who. when asked
whether without any formal promise or OK
pressed condition. Mr.. Roosevelt would. as
q matter Of fact. not go n the Method 81
centre. in the Via M Settembre replied
that he could give no such assurance and
thar In his opinion Mr.. Roosevelt was inst
In view Of this attitude the audience he
Camc Impossible
1T is simply p question of common
courtesy. and surely common courtesy Is
not Incompatible VITA tho rights and free
dom Of an American citizen"
Washington. April s-"Theodore Roose-
welt. the politician. has met his Waterloo. 90
said Father Eugene Harmon. pastor of 81.
Martins Roman Catholic Church in this
city. in discussing the Vatican controversy
last night. Like bun in a china shop,
he has attempted 10 jump into the Vatican
anG override the etiquette Of the most
august court the world has ever known.
The court Of Rome is not given To assist
ing in political cXplOitat lions. and has sure
~ let Roosevelt know it in no uncertain
manner
Roosevelt is the greatest press agent
the world has ever known. but the people
OF Europe haven't much use for the press
agent IN politics. lie may swing the big
stick IN this country To his hearts con-
tent, but il is folly for him To attempt to
ride rnIIghshOd over the Vatican
Fattfer Harmon said that President Taft
went to Rome AMI was most graciOJISIv
received at the Vatican, but before going
there in" made certain what the Vatican
would require OF him and proceeded 10
abide by their regula tons