The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1912-12-29
PLEASED
OVER ITALIAN WARS END,
BUT FEARS BALKAN ALLIES

But FEARS bALkAN ALLlES
The Vatican is much relieved by the
ending Of the war between Italy and
Turkey. Throughout the year II was
waged, several incidents that gave grave
trouble took place. So great a prelate
as Cardinal Vannutelli. the younger of
the two brothers of the name, made
speech at a wedding he performed to the
effect that Italy's victory meant the end
of the Turkish empire in Europe. The
Sultan entered a vigorous protest to the
Vatican, and ordered that all decorations
bestowed upon Cardinal Nannutelli by
Turkey be withdrawn and the medals and
documents returned TO Constantinople.
Then the good Bishop Of Cremona, Mgr.
Bonomelli. who has raised much money
for the relief OF soldiers in Tripoii, went
to Venice and In a chapel erected to COM
memmorate the victory, Of Lepanto,
naval victory OF crusaders over a Turkish
feet said in an address that he hoped
Italy would bring about an end OF Islam
ism in Europe. OF course, the apostolic
delegate. Mgr SardI, received protest
from Constantinople. to be transmitted
to the Vatican. Other like incidents &C.
CURED.
TripoIi. now named Lydia, after it's old
designation, has long had its Catholic af-
fairs in charge OF a prefecture with Mgr.
Rossetti, of the Franciscan order. as pre-
feet. Steps are now taking by the Con-
Gregation OF the propaganda, TO secure
the elevation of the district into an apos-
tolic vicarIate. with Mgr. ROssettl raised
to episcopal dignity. The work OF ex-
tending Catholic interests Is to be entered
Upon in Lydia and in all OF northern
Africa. now wholly out of control of Mo-
hRmmedan political power.
The Vatican no sooner drops trouble
with the Sultan than II picks II up with
France, Germany. and Italy. The new
trouble relates to the protectorate. and
1t extends, not merely to Lydia, but also
to the Holy Land. The new difficulties
grow in part out Of apparent results OF
the war of the Allies against the Turks.
OF course. France was long supreme in
the Near East, all Catholic churches and
institutions displaying the French nag TO
show their nationality. The Vatican Is
beginning TO believe. il is said, that
these nations regard the prectorate as
political capital chiefly. After the with
drawal OF France, and the passage of
the law OF separation by the French As
sembly, Germany interested herself In
Palestine and seems now willing to fur
ther interest herself in Lydia. Italy
feels that she protects the Pope, and
that she is equal to the protection OF
Catholic interests in Lydia.
Indications are that diplomatic rela-
tons between France and the Vatican
will soon be resumed. These relations
are desired by both parties and neither
desires to allow anything in Lydia, nor
yet in Palestine, that may interfere.
Especially is this the case with the
Vatican. Hence the present delicate sit
nation, and the anxiety with which the
negotiations now going on in London are
regarded in Rome. No great confidence
is felt at the Vatican in the Allies, and
there is heard expressed in Catholic cir
cles in Rome no particular desire that
the Conferences at st. James Palace. Lon
don. shall unduly humble the Sultan. Tn
der him Catholic interests in Turkey
have prospered, and II is uncertain what
might be their fate under Eastern Ortho-
doX church control. with a strong Rus
sian influence. There Is no party that
more eagerly awaits the outcome Of the
London peace negotiations than the Pope
and the Vatican authorities.
Bishop Dougherty, of Jaro. in the Phil
ippines, who Is now in the United States,
has secured the Endorsement of the Con-
gregation OF the Propaganda. the mis-
S!Onary body of the church. in his efforts
to interest Catholics OF America in larger
measure in the Catholics OF the Philip
pines. II is an Endorsement that extends
to the Catholic Church in the Philip
pines, and not to Jaro Diocese alone.
and was gained from the Pope before
Bishop Dougherty's departure for
America.
Early in the American occupation OF
the Philippines the Congregation, acting
under approval of the Pope, transferred
Catholic authority in the archipelago TO
American hands in the sense that Ameri-
cans were chosen as bishops. The num-
Der of dioceses was much increased. and
the influence of Spain, in part as a po-
ltical measure, was wholly eliminated
The Spanish prelates. the few remaining.
retired, but with full understanding OF
the steps taken. Great progress has been
made In the Islands, and the plan of
Americans for leaders has worked TO the
satisfaction OF the Vatican.
Now the mission of Bishop Dougherty
to Catholics in America Is to gain finan-
cities as possible schools hospitals, and
even institutes for public lectures that
shall further lift up the Filipinos. Small
efforts in these lines have produced re-
suits in Manila and Iloilo so gratifying
as already TO have been reported to Rome
and the propaganda. The great mission
airy society of the church, the Society
for the Propaganda OF the Faith, has
50 many calls made upon il that II has
not yet been able to help the Filipinos to
any extent The mission of Bishop
Dougherty is to see whether American
Catholics will make this their special
task.