Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1913-04-22
TO ATTEND EUCHARISTIC CON
GRESS IN ISLAND OF MALTA.
CONVEYED BY BRITISH MAN
OF-WAR.
POLITICALLY SIGNIFICANT
TALK OF CESSION OF MALTA TO
POPE, BY BRITISH GOVERN
HENT, AS FUTURE SEAT OF VAT
lCAN,
(Special to The Herdld.)

' tbptttut = -
! ROME, April 21.-Cardinal Ferrata,
papal legate to the twentyfOurth inter
national Euchartistic congress of the
Catholic church, sailed today from Sy-
Iacuse, on the southern coast of Sicily,
for the historic island of Malta where
the congress will formally open tOmOr-
row. The cardinal sailed on a British
man-of-war, which had been placed at
his disposal by the English government,
to whom the island of Malta belongs.
With His Eminence, on board, was also
his personal suite, thirty of the leading
archbishOps and bishops of Italy, a score
Of prominent Vatican p~relates and sew
eral pilgrims.
Simultaneous with the sailing of the
war vessel. three ordinary steamships
also sailed having on board nearly 1000
other pilgrims. Still other steamers will
sail tmOrrOw while two immense pill
grimages, one from America and one
from England will arrive in special
steamships direct from New York and
London. All in all, the formal opening
Of the congress tomorrow is expected
10 be made in the presence of not less
than 5000 pilgrims from all parts of
the world, probably the greatest number
Of foreigners that nave been on the little
island of Malta since the Middle Ages.
: The congress-, which will last until
-A-x Nla, I'LL IN Tho fn,-fh - Tho
series which Pope Plus ~inaugurated sew
eral years ago. The first of these was
held at Montreal, Canada, to which His
Holiness sent as the papal delegate. Car
dinal V~annutelli, one of the most distin-
guished members of the Sacred College.
At the second of the series held at Mad
rid, the king of Spain took a prominent
part, while last years congress at Wen
ma was personally participated in by
every member of the foyal family. from
Emperor Franz Josef down, and the pap
al legate, Cardinal Van ROssum was
lodged in the royal palace.
To the congress which begins tOmor-
row at Malta a special note of interest
If an entirely different character has
been added. This is due to the fact that
the island has been given serious con
sideratiOn as a possible solution for the
Vatican Quirnal question. Several years
ago when relations at Rome became ser
iously restrained the English govern
nent was even approached on the sub
iect of turning over the island to the
pope as the future seat Of the Vatican
and as an independent temporal king
dom under the sovereignty Of the pOpes.
While the matter was Dropped at that
time, it has been revived the past year
and it is freely admitted in vatican
circles that Pope Plus may have had
such a solution in mind when the rather
out.Of-the way place was selected by him
for this years congress.
Although Cardinal Ferrata will ar
rive at Malta late this afternoon. he
will not 60 ashore until tomorrow. He
will. first be met on board the man-Of-
war by the dignitaries of the island
headed by Auxiliary Bishop Of Malta
MOnsignor POrtelli, on behalf of the
church, and Sir Joseph CarbOne, on be
half of the English government. When
the landing is finally made the entire
garrison OF the island will line the aven-
hes from the wharf to the episcopal pal
ace: and through this double line of
troops His Eminence will pass.
For the congress, the English govern
ment and military machinery of the
island and by those at Rome who believe
Pope Plus still entertains the idea of
find in Malta a solution Of the Vat.
lean Quirnal question this attitude of
tho. English government is considered
most favorable. The program for the
congress provides for elaborate frnc-
tons throughout the entire week, culmin-
ating next Monday in a pilgrimage to
the GrottO of Saint, Paul, one of the
most sacred shrines on the island. Fol
Loving the close of the congress, nearly
all Of the pilgrims, and especially the
Americans and English will come, to
Rome where they will be received in
audience by the pope.