The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-12-22

ton OF pro-German Pope and when
Benedict Nv. became Pope 1t was
thought that as an int!mated friend Of the
late Cardinal Rampola his sympathies
would be with France. The Pope, how
ever. realized the Importance of assuin-
ing an attitude of impartial neutrality
and the pro-German propaganda Is cei
,ainly wasted 80 far as he Is concerned
The Papal Secretary of state, Cardinal
Gsspsrr lived nineteen years In Paris.
and although like all Italian Catholic
preiates no realizes the importance OF hay
ing Cathol!e great Power like Austria
a friend OF the Vatican he Is too clever
20 show any partially during a war Ike
.he present when the .a;e of Austria Ia so
uncertain. The pro-German propaganda
had some success among the minor prel-
ates OF the Vatican. and II has proved
Useful in many respects. The Vatican Is a
good source OF information. Bishops, apps
.olic delegates and missionaries through
ou; the world send daily reports to I'll"
different departments and valuable tips
are secured Il one has friends among IN"
leroy Then, above all. the great ad-
vantage OF q nation being automatically
represented at the vatican Is that In case
" war with Italy the Austrian Ambassa-
Tor ana the Prussian and Bavarian Min
listers accredited TO the Pope with all the
stafs Of the embassy and legations VIII
remain in Rome. The possibilities for
,ding IN the encny's capital are so great
and obvious that they need not he eaumer-
.ted.
The Allies England Russia, France,
Belgium. Japan Serv.s and Montenegro.
have only two representatives In all a;
the Vatican. the Russian and Belgian
Minister'S II IL possible that diplomatic
relations between the Holy See and
France. broken off during the Church
crisis In France. may be resumed. con
clliation between France and the Vatican
is considered likely, but there are many
reasons OF various kinds why. unless the
present French Cabinet IN changed 1t will
not take place. When England Is repre-
scented at tho Vatican the difficulties
against a Franco-vatcan conciliaton
may be esaily overcome. But the neces-
sity of England sending an envoy to the
Pope Is evident that II is prac-
tically officially recognized In Sir Henry
Towards credentials. which accredit him
az ENVOY Extraordinary OF his Majesty
the King of England to his Holiness the
Pope for the duration OF the war
The main difficulty against a reconcilia
ton between the Holy See and France
relates 10 the rank OF the diplomatic rep
resentative in Rome and in Paris. Be
fore the law OF separation France was
represented at the Vatican by an Ambas-
sador and the Holy See had a nuncio Of
the first class In Paris. When diplomatic
relations were broken off France abolished
the post OF Ambassador to the Vatican,
while The Holy See retained the post OF
nuncio In Paris. but left IL vacant. Were
such diplomatic relations TO be resumed 1t
follows that the French Government must
first of all establish the post OF Ambassa-
dor to the Vatican. obtain from Parliament
the necessary appropriation OF funds and
have a bill voted abrogating In part the law
OF separation. Al the same time negotia-
tons will have TO be initiated with the
Vatican for the appointment OF nuncio
10 farls.
Naturally all these formalities which
have to be attended TO will he greatly
complicated. owing 10 the fact that the
French Government will have TO come IN
direct contact with the papal Secretary
Of State The presence in Rome Of
British envoy. who II necessary can net
on behalf OF France. besides greatly SIM
plifying matters Will render possible some
provisional arrangement The precedent
OF England may be followed and French
Envoy Extraordinary may be accredited
TO the Holy See for the duration OF the
war with the proviso that the question of
permanent diplomatic relations will be
settled after the war.