Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-04-04

ROME, April 4.-The determination Of
Mr.. Roosevelt to forego an audience with
Pope Plus X rather than subscribe to the
conditions imposed by the Vatican has
created a sensation. This unfortunate
and unexpected incident overshadows
every other feature of the distinguished
American's visit to the Eternal city.
Mr.. Roosevelt sought an audience with
the pontiff through American Ambassador
Leishman, and received q reply that the
holy father would be delighted to re-
c~ive him, but the answer was coupled
with an expression of the hope that the
aIdience would not be prevented by such
a regrettable incident as made an audi.
ence for former Vice President Fair.
banks impossible. Mr.. Roosevelt. in turn.
stated that he could not accept any
stipulation limiting his freedom of con-
duct. To the latter message the Vatican
made answer that the audience could not
take place excepting on the understand
ing first made known.
On March % Mr.. Roosevelt sent to Am
bassador Leishman the following cable
message:
Proposed presentation is. Of course.
now impossible"
Says Incident Is Purely Personal.
Mr.. Roosevelt insists that the incident
be treated as purely personal and ear
nestly hopes that 1t will not give rise to
any bitterness. He appreciates the at&i-
tude Of the Vatican, but feels that al a
free American citizen he cannot consist
emily take any action that might bs
construed as involving limitation Of the
freedom Of his personal conduct. He had
made no engagement to address the
Methodists or other religious bodies Of
Rome. but at the same time thinks he
should not make promises as to what The
will or will not do. It will appear today
that so far as the Vatican and Mr..
Roosevelt are concerned the incident -
closed.
Great surprise is expressed by tho -Vs&i-
can authorities at the action OF Col.
Roosevelt in publishing the messages ak.
changed between Ambassador Leishman.
Mgr Kennedy of the American college
and himself The Vatican authoctties
claim these messages were dtpapunnGio
documents and should not hawe boeu
printed.
The newspapers this morning oomnaant
strongly on the pope's refusal to aoopCd
the colonel an audience exceuk % on.
tain conditions. The papers claimrthse,1t
will result In loss to the holy mo ef
millions OF American dollars.
History Of the Negottations.
The history Of the negotiations 10 shout
as follows: While at Cairo MIR. Roosevelt
received the following telegram from
Leishman. dated Maroh,2S:
American Catholic College. In reply to
an inquiry which I caused to be mads.
requests that the following communica-
ton be transmitted to you:
The holy father Will be delighted to
grant an audience to Mr.. Roosevelt
April S, and he hopes that nothing will
arise to prevent 1t, such as the muoh-
regretted incident which made the recep-
ton of Mr.. Fairbanks impossible
Replying by cable to Ambassador Leash-
man March 25 Mr.. Roosevelt sod:
please present the following to Mon.
signore Kennedy:
cit would be a real pleasure to me to
be presented to the holy father. for wt1Um
I entertain high respect. both personally
and as the head Of . great church.
fully recognize his entire right 10 receaNe
or not receive tS9 Wn4mso1uer ae .a ne 1oG q -,
and IL he does not receive me ehau :not
for a moment question the prcpttetT e
his action.
.On the other hand. L in my tHsR
must decline to make any sttpula7puI -
snhmit to any conditions which In axY
way would limit my freedom Of cpndqak
+ trust that on April he win du6 =
convenient to receive me-
ssImpossihls," Says Hoossveak
March q Mr.. Roosevelt. at CajSAsSe.
ceived cAbIegram frem xx16nsUo01R