The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-04-05

representative to-day for the purpose OF
granting a special Interview on the cir.
cumstances surrounding the failure Of
Col. Roosevelt to meet the Pope
His eminence began by saying:
This is the situation: The Methodists
here in Rome strive by every means ia
conduct a campaign Of venomous hostili.
ties against the holy father by lies and
ISLANDERS. Here at this very door. in this
his own episcopal city, they harbor alier
priests. Moreover. they openly sympa-
thize with and aid his enemies. They
also advocate and strive to put into eff
feet the principle enunciated by Bovio al
the foot OF the statue of Giordane Bruno
the postate priest, when he said. We
have stripped the Pope Of his temporal
power. and We will never rest till we strip
him of his spiritual power also
When President Roosevelt expressed a
wish TO see the Pope" the cardinal con-
unued. 1t was feared he did not know
the situation as l have described 1t. As
consequence. he was advised in a
friendly way. and the hope was expressed
that the audience would not be prevented
by any incident similar to that which
prevented the interview between Mr.
Fairbanks and the Pope. No condition
was imposed. but the same procedure was
adopted when audiences with the Pope
are arranged"
Examples Are Quoted.
His eminenee quoted as examples the
audiences granted the Emperor of Ger
many, King Edward of England and other
sovereighs. The Cardinal then proceeded:
When audiences are arranged, the Vat
lean authorities naturally suggest before
hand, in a friendly way, the things that
are TO be done. This interchange of mes
sages was preliminary. and was naturally
considered in the Vatican as confidential
not for the Vatican's sake, but for that
Of Mr.. Roosevelt himself, in order that
he might be left free and unembarrassed
on his arrival in Rome. Actually no ap-
plieation for an audience was made. but
Mr.. RoOsevelt's wish to see the Pope was
conveyed to the Vatican This and other
communications with the Vatican were
not intended for publication. I saw Mr.
o Loughlin. who presented a letter from
Mgr. Falconio at Washington. which
said that it was his desire that
/ see Mr.. O'Loughlin merely in the ca
pacity Of one Of Mr.. Roosevelt's travelling
companions. Mr.. O'Loughlin told me that
he did not represent Mr.. Roosevelt and
then asked what he was here for. Mr..
O'Loughlin said: To see If / cannot ar
range matters.
Could Settle Difficulties.
He assured me that if the telegrams
that had passed were withdrawn. Mr.
Roosevelt would see the Pope and all the
difficulties would be at an end. This If
seemed TO me showed that Mr.. oLoughlin
was really in position to arrange mat
tiers. Accordingly I replied: That Is i'm
possible
Mr. O'Loughlin's contention was that
Mr.. Roosevelt was at liberty 10 go where
he liked and do what he pleased after
tie audience. Ny reply was: After or
before makes no difference. Il is not a
question of religion. Mr. Roosevelt can
go TO his own or 10 any Protestant
church in the city Of Rome, and while
there deliver an address If he chooses TO
do so. Then If he pleases he may drive
direct from that church and be received
by the holy father, I added, however
that it would be more tactfuI If Mr.
Roosevelt would first drive to his hotel
and there wait a few minutes before
starting out for the audience
But I said, he cannot go to the
MethOdists in this place Il do not know
about the Methodists in other places and
TO them I do not refer, but those in this
place are particularly offensive to his
holiness. because they conduct a cam
paigR Of villainous caiumny against Tho
holy see Therefore 70 go before or after
the audience with the Pope and win the
full knowledge that it would be offensive
would be equally Objectionable 10 the
holy father
Continuing, I said to Mr. O'Lougblin.
All I ask is this: Can you assure me-
that Mr.. Roosevelt viii de facto not %
10 the Method.sts, thus leaving aside the
question of what he may consider to he
his rights in the natter"
No Assurance Possible.
S'Mr. O'Loughlin replied I cannot give
any such assurance On the contrary
my opinion is that Mr.. Roosevelt is lust
the kind Of a. man to go, although he
has as yet made no engagement. I re-
Piled: Mr.. Roosevelt is entirely free 70
go where he pIeases, but the holy father
is certainly free to refuse 10 receive any
one who reserves the right, willingly. to
offend him.
His eminence then gave examples to
illustrate the Vaticans point or view in
the matter. Suppose, he suggested that
Mr.. Roosevelt were to go to Berlin. |
He certainly would not go to Polish |
clubs if it were pointed out to him /
in a diplomatic way that such ac-
ton would be offensive TO the Kaiser. |
This before or after being received by /
his majesty. Another example he gave
Mr.. OLOughlin, to quote his words, was
as follows: You are free TO take OF /
your coat when you visit me- and you
may sit in your shirt sleeves now if you /
desire. but if you were TO do so I would 1
certainly not receive you again
Concluding my talk with Mr. OLough- /
lin. continued the cardinal, I said IN I
substance: If I or any prelate from the
Vatican went TO America, we should con-
slider ourselves obliged to conform to the
laws and customs OF that country If I I
wished an Audience al the White House
should feel obliged to inquire about the
etiquette 10 be observed. I would nat
urally be anxious, If only IS matter of