The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-09-13
NOW POSSIBLE ID OUTLINE POLICY
 OF THE NEW POPE Is Expected to Seek Better Relations With France
 and Italy
WILL MAKE BEST OF
 PRESENT CONDITIONS
Great Emphasis Will be Laid on Spir- itual Character of His Office-To Stress Subject of Education
 Along Those Lines

Rome. September 12.--(Special) Ut is now possible to outline the main features of the policy that the new pope will pur- sue. The basis for such outline has three parts-the record of Benedict XIV while diplomat. member of curia and arch bishop; his selection of Cardinal Ferrata to be secretary of state; and his allocu- ton uttered at his first consistory, held on September s.
 The chief feature of that policy, as is now believed, will be better political re- lations with France and Italy, to be sought as part of the settlements of the war. A political pope Benedict XV will not be- He will lay tremendous emphasis upon the spiritual character of his high office. Yet it is certain he will undo some of the acts of Cardinal Merry del Val. Diplomatic relations with France will be resumed if France desires such, as it is known she does. An adjustment of differences will be had with Italy. And steps will be taken to prevent Spain and Austria from bringing forward sep- aration laws.
 No one expects Benedict XV to fore swear claims to temporal power, but there will be strong inclinations shown to accept conditions as they are and make the best of them. The liberty of Italian Catholics in the matter of the franchise will be extended. Catholic press of Rome will contain less bitter articles against enemies of the church. policy of peace will be followed Dogmatism will give way to diplomacy on a Christian basis. There are even those who predict that the $36500 a year allowed the Italian government for the maintenance of the vatican, which is the property not of the church but of the government, will hereafter be accepted and used.
 To Stress Education
 Hardly less emphasis will be placed by the new pope upon the subject of educa- ton on spiritual lines. He will if oppor- tunity arises, get into the terrible war game of the nations and bring peace if he can, but he realizes that education must be at the bottom of any lasting civilization. The late pope did much to improve the education of Catholic clergy, especially in Italy, but the new pope will extend that progress to primary edu- cation. He is in thorough sympathy with many other Christian leaders, American Protestants included, that there is some thing lacking in education that leaves religion out and that education in secu- lar and religious lines must be for all people The new pope will even further the plan of parochial schools for Europe, such plan having proved so successful in America
 The change that is looked to with con- fidence is the holding of church councils as in former days. Few would be sur prised if another plenary council were to be ordered for America, probably to be held in New York. The late pope came in his last years almost to ignore the cardinals officially, although with many of them he conferred in person. There was, however, during the last five or six years of his pontificate hardly any councils at all. The pope decided impor- tant matters himself The new pope will not follow this plan. He will hold fre- quent consistorles and will keep the sacred college filled with representative men. He will call them in council, and America will have large voice
 Believes in Church Unity
 Benedict XV is in thorough accord with church unity plans. That is. he de- sires strongly that the western and east ern churches come together. As for the Anglican and American approaches. it is already announced that he Is ready to meet any representatives and hear what they may desire to say. Benedict XIV will not, of course. sacrifice anything that is Catholic, but it is known he believes there is a large field for common effort, without sacrifice on either side. In this view he is supported by Cardinal Farrata and by American cardinals, especially Gibbons and Farley.
 Still another part of the new Catholic policy is the emphasis upon social ser vice. In America members of the Fed eration of Catholic societies have led in such change In Bologna, Della Chiesa led in the same, and gradually hereafter under his policy as pope the Catholic church will take larger and larger part in labor studies, in social welfare, in amusements properly directed
 Finally, the new pope is earnestly seek ing some plan by which he may help to