Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-02-13
DISCUSS FAIRBANKS.
Roman Newspapers Comment
on Papal incident.
Different VERSIONS GIVEN
Editorial in Weekly Declares Liber
atty of Vatican Cannot Include
the Methodist Organization.
Special Cablegram to The Star.

Special Cablegram to The Star.
ROME, February 12.-There has been
much talk during the past week over the
matter OF the cancellation of the audi
ence between the pope and Charles War
rem Fairbanks, former Vice President OF
the United States. The republican newspa-
per, La Raglone, states that Mr.. Fairbanks
asked for the audience, but was notified
by the Vatican that he could not be re-
ceived. as he had delivered public lee
ture at the American Methodist Church
in Rome.
Previous to the refusal of the Vatican
to receive Mr.. Fairbanks an attempt had
been made TO induce the former Vice
President IF the United States not to give
this lecture, but this was impossible, as
Mr.. Fairbanks had promised to deliver
the address. La Ragione adds that the
frmness Of Mr.. Fairbanks Is much ap-
preciated in America, many prominent
people having cabled him their congratu-
lations on his attitude. The paper con-
cludes its article with the statement that
former President Roosevelt has already
promised to lecture at the same American
Methodist Church, and 1t is very likely
that he will not be received in audience
by the pope.
The fact of the matter seems to be that
Mr.. Fairbanks did not ask for the audi
ence, as he had been told that the pope
does not wish to meet any one who. while
in Rome, takes an active part In public
church services of other religions than
the Roman Catholic. Mr.. Fairbanks him.
self merely says that he regretted very
much that he was unable to see the pope,
owing to his short and busy stay in
Rome.
Fairbanks Type.
The Weekly Review Of Rome, the organ
Of the English-speaking Catholics. today
publishes a long editorial on Mr.. Fair
inspired by the Vatican. The editorial
says:
MIR. Fairbanks Professionalism is broad
and logical, and allows him to put his
stalWart shoulders to the wheel to help
on every good cause. Though a strong
party man in politics, his devotion to
party does not make him desire the
disappearance Of all parties but his own.
and he has the same theory with regard
to religion. He is a Methodist. but he
has no wish that Methodism should be
the only religion in America.
Mr.. Fairbanks is a type of millions
Of good Americans, friendly to the Cath
Ollie Church. and believing that it makes
little difference what mans religion
be, provided he does his best to live up
to it,
Tolerance of Vatican.
After reviewing the incident between
the former Vice President and the Vati-
can, the Review emphasizes the tolerance
of the Vatican, and points out that a
man may spend his whole life working
in the Vatican archives and galleries
without even being questioned as to
whether he Is Turk or an atheist. He
may even be a diplomatic representative
to the holy see without being Catholic.
But even the all-embracing liberalty
OF the Vatican continues the Review,
cannot include the Methodist organiza-
ton here, which entered Rome through
the breach made September 20. 1870. with
Garibaldi's red shirts. Many animosities
have resulted in these forty years, but
they have made no change in the spirit of
the system Of the Methodists. Their or
ganization as established does not minis
ter to the wants Of visiting Methodists
here. but is directed toward perverting
the faith of the people.
Call Methodists venomous.
mot only that, but the Methodists
have always been bitterly and avowedly
anti-papal. eagerly welcoming every OPP
portunity to discharge their venom
against Catholicism and the holy see.
Statistics compiled by themselves show
that the cost Of making single Roma 4
a Methodist averages 1000 francs G1, 400.
During the last forty years they have
spent $12.OOO.OOO In this unholy work of
proselytizing Catholics. especially Catho-
lie children.
Mr.. Fairbanks did not know these
facts or he would not have given his
promise to speak In the Methodist church
twenty-four hours before the time fixed
for his audience with the pope. Other
wise he would have understood how in
compatible was his public appearance in
this hotbed Of antiCatholic proselytism
and anti-papal bitterness with an audi
ence with the holy father"