Los Angeles herald., 1910-02-07
POPE WILL NOT
SEE FAIRBANKS
FORMER VICE PRESIDENT DE-
MED AUDIENCE
Arrangements to Receive the Noted
American Broken Off Because of
Refusal to Cancel Engage
ment to Speak
Associated Pressl

ROME, Feb. 6.-The visit to Rome of
Charles w. Fairbanks. former vice
president of the United States, brought
about a delicate situation because OF
the fact he wished to pay his respects
to the king, to Pope Piux x and to the
American Methodist church
By tactful arrangement Mr.. Fair
banks audience with King Victor EN-
manuel was fixed for Saturday, and
that with the pontiff for Monday.
But when everything seemed satis-
factorily arranged the Vatican an
nounced it would be impossible for
Plus X to receive the former vice pres
ident if he carried out his intention of
speaking in tine American Methodist
church here, because the Methodists
had been active in proselyting among
the Catholics.
Negotiations were Immediately begun
to avoid any unpleasantness, and in
these negotiations prominent Vatican
officials exerted every influence to re-
move the difficulties that had so uneX-
pectedly presented themselves to Mr..
Fairbanks audience with his holiness.
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, he could
not withdraw from his promise to de-
liver an address before the American
Methodist church.
Mgr. Kennedy, rector of the Ameri-
can college (Catholic), gave a dinner at
noon in honor of Mr.. Fairbanks. The
hall was decorated with American
flags. Among those present were 144
American students.
Toast Christian Church
Mr.. Fairbanks in rising gave a toast
to the Christian church. making no
distinction of denomination. He de-
clared the Catholic church had accom-
plished great things for God and hu-
manity while past prejudices against
the Catholics had entirely disappeared,
for they were ever at the front when
the integrity of the country needed to
be defended or it's dignity to be upheld.
At the American Methodist church
Mr.. Fairbanks address acquired excep-
tional Importance because of the Incl
dent with the Vatican, and it is looked
on as his final answer to the eondi-
tions imposed on him relative to his
audience with the pontiff.
Mr.. Fairbanks said:
"It is impossible to emphasize too
strongly the good work the Christian
church is doing in all lands and
amongst all nationalities. 1t is graft
flying that the American churches es-
tablished in all countries are asserting
a wider influence today than ever in
their history.
THE agitation going on in the po-
litical social and economic worlds is
due to Christianity breaking down the
castles and prejudices and lifting man
kind to a higher plane. The demo-
cratic idea which is taking root in po-
litical institutions is due to the ex-
pandng influence of Christianity.
"All Christian churches are worthy
of support. They, above all, should be
inspired by a generous, tolerant spirit
toward one another. Nothing is more
unseemly than the narrow jealousies
which they occasionally manifest
toward one another. There is room for
all. Cease the narrow denominational
wars and direct your energies toward
the common enemy. Let the Catholics
and the Protestants of all denomina-
tions vie in carrying forward the work
of the Master, which is worthy of the
best in them ALL