Watertown leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1909-1911, 1910-02-11
FAIRBANKS DOES
NOT VISIT POPE
EX-VICE PRESIDENT ADDRESSES
METHODISTS AND VATICAN
CALL IS CANCELLED.
CHOICE FORCED UPON HIM.
Notified by Pontiff He Must Abandon
One Project, He Keeps Engagement
with Protestants.
GUEST AT AMERICAN COLLEGE.

ROME, Feb. 7.-Charles Warren Fair
banks, former vice president of the
United States, prefers addressing an
American Methodist congregation to hav-
ing an audience with Pope Plus y.
He made this preference known when
the Vatican sent him notice that if he
persisted in speaking to the American
Methodists here he would have to forego
the audience, which had been appointed
for today.
The incident which finally operated
to prevent Mr.. Fairbanks reception at
the Vatican occurred after a previous
delicate situation had been adjusted by
the use OF much tact. Mr.. Fairbanks,
IN addition to his desire to be received
by the Pope, wished to pay his respects
to the King OF Italy. Situations similar
to this are not infreQuent and extreme
care has to be exercised by those upon
whom the task of arranging the audi
ences falls, in order to avoid offending
the susceptibilities on either side.
Vatican Cancels Audience
BY a tactful arrangement, Mr.. Fair
banks audience with King Victor EN-
manuel was fixed for Saturday, and that
with the Pope for today, but when every
thlng seemed satisfactorily planned, the
Vatican suddenly announced that it
would be impossible for his holiness to
receive the former vice president if he
carried out his announced intention to
speak in the American Methodist church
here. because the Methodists had been
active in PROSECUTING among the Catho-
lies.
Negotiations Immediately were begun
with view to avoiding any unpleasant
JI-hJ aICrh+ y-A
rise to misconceptions, and in these ne
gotlations prominent Vatican officials
eXerted every influence to remove the
difficulties which so unexpectedly had
presented themselves to Mr.. Fairbanks
audience with the Pope.
Fairbanks Chooses Methodists.
But Mr.. Fairbanks finally declared
that, although he was animated by a
strong desire to pay his respects to the
head of the Catholic church, whose fol
lowers had played such an important
part as good American citizens, he could
not withdraw from his promise to de-
liver an address before the American
Methodist church.
Mgr. Kennedy, rector of the American
college, gave a dinner at noon in honor
of Mr.. Fairbanks. The hall was deco
rated with American flags. Among those
present were IA American students, the
tended the institution.
Mr.. Fairbanks gave a toast to the
Christian church, making no distinction
of denomination. He declared that the
Catholic church had accomplished great
things for God and humanity, while past
prejudices against the Catholics had en-
tirely disappeared for they were ever at
the front when the integrity of the coun-
try needed to be defended or its dignity
to be upheld.
Makes No Distinction.
At the American Methodist church,
Mr.. Fairbanks address acquired excep-
with the Vatican, and it is looked upon
imposed upon him relative to his audi
ence with the Pope. During the course
of this address he said
1T is impossible to emphasize too
strongly the good work the Christian
church is doing in all lands and amongst
all nationalities. 1t is gratifying that
the American churches established in
all countries are asserting a wider infiu-
ence. The agitation going on III the
political, social and economic world is
due to Christianity breaking down the
prejudices and lifting mankind to a high
er plane. The democratic idea which is
taking root in political Institutes IS due
to the expanding influence of Christian
ity.
Let the Catholics and the Protestants
of all denominations vie in carrying for
ward the work of the Master, which is
worthy of the best in them all"