Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1914-09-24
PEACE IN AMERICA
GODS BLESSING, SAYS
CARDINAL GIBBONS
Grieving Over Europe's
Tragic Lot, He Praises
Rescue of Tourists by u.
S. Diplomats.

BOSTON, Sept. A-"After witnessing
the sad scenes Of devastation and destruc-
ton and the appalling loss of life which
is now the tragic lot of a great part of
Europe, we have reason to congratulate
ourselves and to ebthankful to Almighty
God that our beloved country is enjoying
the blessings of peace" said Cardinal
Gibbons, who with Cardinal O'Connell.
returned from Naples today on the liner
Canopic.
THE United States Government de-
serves great credit for its splendid work
In facilitating the return home of so
many American citizens in Europe as
n result of the war. There were thou
sands of our fellow citizens there. Many
of them had gone to Europe with only
enough moeny to defray their regular
travelling expenses and were wholly un-
prepared for the conditions they found
thrust upon them. Our American arnbaIs-
sadors and consuls deserve unstnted
praise for what they did to help those
people to return to America"
Cardinal Gibbons and his travelling
companions, accompanied by Bishop
Corrigan. of Baltimore, and Monsignor
Shahan, rector of the Catholic University
at Washington left Boston on the 10
o'clock express for New York. They
will proceed at once to Baltimore to
attend the closing sessions of the con-
Vention of Federated Catholic Societies
now in session there
Cardinal O'Connel gave out the fol-
lowing statement:
AT last we are home again in our
own America, proudcr. still. If that were
possible, of her liberty, of her founders
and of her institutions. May God bless
our America, her rulers and her peopYe,
and keep her ever prosperous and happy
In the full possession OF national honor
and lasting peace.
TOO LATE FOR CONCLAVE
Three of the American cardinals ar
rived too late to participate In the cleo
ton, Cardinal Gibbons. Cardinal Begin
and myself. The ancient regulation of
beginning the conclave on the 10th day
after the death of the Pope was made
when cardinals did not reside as such a
great distance from Rome as they do
now, and undoubtedly n new regulation
will be made in relation to the opening
of the conclave that will enable the
American cardinals to reach Rome in
time to participate in the election
The choice of Cardinal Della Chiesa
as Pope has already produced a most fa-
vorable impression. At this particular
time there is great need OF n vigorous
Pontiff, with a knowledge of diplomat.
relations and with wide. practical eX-
perience in the affairs of the Church and
the State.
The present time Is a most trying one
in which to begin the arduous labors of
Pontiff, and Pope Benedict XIV will at
the very outset of his pontIfcate he called
on to face as serious and as difficult a
problem as ever fell to the lot of a SOW
ereiGn Pontif, hut in his labors he will
have the prayers and cooperation of all
his bishops, priests and people throughout
the world.
ION three separate occasions during my
short stay in Rome the Holy Father re-
celved me in private conference. and
was amazed at the wonderful qua ltics
he displayed His ready and quick grasp
of affairs his intimate knowledge of men
and conditions, his gracious tact and
courtly bearing, his manifest love and
burning desire for the bettcrment and
happiness of the people, his deep knowl-
edge and simple faith, impressed me in a
marked degree, and promises a glorious
reign for the Church and for the pcople
throughout the world"