The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1910-04-07
RECEPTION IS OFF.
Roosevelt Calls 1t Off OWING
to Attack on Pope.
TAXES MOTOR RIDE WITH KING
Statement Issued by Methodist Pas.
tor Arraigning the Vatican
Causes Abrupt Change
of Program.

Rome. April a.-Mr. Roosevelt's pro
posed reception 10 the American col
ony has been called on as a result Of
tae anti-Vstican statement issued BY
Rev. Mr.. Triple. Of the American
Methodist church in Rome
Mr.. Roosevelt was not in his hap
piest mood. His wish that the Vatican
incident be regarded as personal &c
him had not been respected. aud he
was Intensely annoyed.
About the first thing he did was &c
call on the reception to the American
colony
This action. as stated. was due Of
rectly to the issuance of a statemen,
by Rev. b. NJ Triple attacking the
Roman church
Mr.. Roosevelt does not propose "a
be used by any one TO the disparage.
ment of any one else
Attack BY Mr.. TippIe.
Mr.. Triple called upon Mr.. Roose
Welt and then made a statement in
which he gave the Vatican incident a
worldwide significance. SAYING:
Mr.. Roosevelt has struck a blow
for twentieth century Christianity
The representatives OF two great re
puolics have been the ones to put the
Vatican where It belongs.
The Vatican is incompatible with
republican principles. This is bitter
dose for patriotic Catholics in Amer
lea TO swallow. wonder how MANY
doses Of this sort they will take before
they revolt
is Catholicism In America to be
American or ROmish? II Romish. then
every patriotic American should rise
70 crush IL. for Roman Catholicism is
the uncompromising foe of freedom
The world advances. but the
Vatican never"
Statement by Mr.. Roosevelt.
When the Triple pronouncement
vas shown TO Mr.. Roosevelt he said:
Il had made no arrangements To
speak at an church OF clerical organi
zation in Rome. I have received a
number OF gentlemen OF all religious
faiths who have called at my rooms or
at the American embassy.
Under the circumstances have
requested the American ambassador
not TO hold the reception which he
had intended TO hold on Wednesday
afternoon.
AS regards all efforts by whomso
ever made TO bring about and iniame
religious animosities because OF what
has occurred in connection with the
Vatican and myself. | can do no more
than to refer to the emphatic state.
ments contained in my open letter To
DR.. Lyman Abbott.
"All that I there said desire TO
reitevste with my whole power"
American Catholics Offended.
Ambassador Leishman had arranged
the reception that Mr.. Roosevelt
might meet Americans In Rome re-
gardless OF their faith on the neutral
ground OF the embassy.
The appearance. however. OF the
Triple statement displessed many
American Catholics. who showed an
intention Of not attending the recep
ton II the Methodists OF the organiza-
ton represented by Mr.. Triple were
to be present
The matter was carried to MI
Roosevelt. who. after hearing both
sides. asked Mr.. Leishman to cancel
the whole affair and this was done
Vatican Incident Still Topic.
The sensation caused by Mr. Roise-
Velt's decision not TO be received bv
the pope upon terms made by Car
einal Merry del Val continues IN
abated. The press is filled with col
umns on the subject
Papers Of all shades OF political
opinion. except the clerical organs
support Mr.. Roosevelt's attitude. Some
violent anti-clerical sheets intimate
that the AFFAIR may result in the down
fall OF the papal secretary.
These papers are apparently irving
to arouse great anti-clerical demon
stration at the railway station when
Mr.. Roosevelt leaves the city Wednes
day night.