Evening journal., 1915-08-25
MACHINE Guns TO
Protect Vatican
Italian Government Offers
More Safeguards Than
Pope Desires
DECLINES TENDER
OF POLICE GUARDS
BY ALICE ROHE.

United Press STAFF Correspondent.
ROME. July 30.--(By MaiI.)-
While startling stories Of how the
Pope is about to fee to Spain for
safety continue to blossom on the
journalistic tree with regularity. It
Is interesting to know/what Is really
going on to protect the head Of the
historic church.
That the Vatican Is protected by
Remington and wetterly arms. gives
quite a modern touch to the pictur-
esque pile The protection offered
and given by the Italian government
Is interesting TO analyze on account
OF the relations between church and
state. Benedict XIV has no need to
worry for his safety as the govern
ment OF Italy not only gives protec-
tion but has offered far more than
he would accept.
AS to internal security, the Ita
police could take no steps as the Vat
lean Is considered a foreign state
The italian government besought the
pope to accept II n so pleased him.
MHdtNNtl ulAiNu iNlA'n u' nbW ~ ARA
the protection OF the Vatican and the
pontifical property. These men would
be exempt from military duty 10 the
Italian government Moreover the
government offered the necessary
, protection of modern arms and ann
munition
Benedict XIV, always practical. de-
clined the offer of men. being unde-
. sirous Of increasing the number OF
= vatican armed guards. especially
since he had desired all OF his at
I tendants who had military service to
{ perform or who wished TO 60 as vol
{ unteers TO file at once beneath tho
+ banner OF the patria. The Holy Fa-
= ther is credited with saying to Car
dinal Gasparri. Let all go who have
tho obligation. let all go who have the
desire and let them know that not a
:. solda will be deducted from their pay
p and that their places will be waiting
r for them--but let us not talk Of ac-
b cepting the offer Of the government
/. for more men-that would he the
e. same as converting the Vatican into
vel haven OF poltroons."
a The government knowing how the
he apostolic palaces are infected with
mi Austrian spies. who as visitors to
in the great museums and galleries al
" legged students Of the libraries, have
ears and eyes open. suggested an
army Of plain-clothes men.
The Vatican, however. SC far has
90. not accepted the governments offer
Of police, although there Is every
], reason TO believe arms and ammuni-
~ tlon have been introduced into the
on Vatican through the government The
i armed Vatican corps are indeed man
80 ned with Remingtons. These arms
being heavy. the Swiss guards are
D. being trained In the use of Wetter-
lys. the heavier arms being given
Z to the outside guards. The gem
, darmes are also armed with revolv-
ers which they need in their duty in
the gardens and courts.
;. In Piazza st. Peter and In the old
~ Borgo there are two barracks, in
= which are stationed great consingents
= Of territorial militia and carabinieri
,s who are In constant contact with de-
= tectives in uniform and plain-cIothes,
z who In turn are stationed az the Ia
K nous bronze doors in the Via della
Fondementa along the outside wall Of
the Basicilica Of Saint Peter. At the
Cavalleggeri gate and the Angelica
O. gate are two stations OF carabinieri
>, reinforced by a great body OF terri
, torial militia. Protection Of the Vati-
y can meteorological observatory, which
~ is in the garden, has been augment.
le ed by the presence Of civil function.
aries who assist the Jesuits. In the
y observatory an electrical reflector ha,
y, been placed with which II is possible
py to search the now dangerous depth,
oi OF the sky. The observatory is in d.
81 rect telephonic communication with
l the Vatican. It was thought at frs
- a good idea to place an observation
~ station upon the cupola Of ST. Pet.
% er's as was doro m 1870. but this
' idea was abandoned.
A most scrupulous guard has beer
- placed about the palaces of the Da.
~ taria and the Cancelleria and the
~ Propaganda OF the Faith beneath The
ue Quirinal
se II is believed the treasure Of ths
- Propaganda may have been transport
,n ed to the subterranean vaults OF thu
~ Vatican or elsewhere.
At night the apostolic palaces are
IN, wrapped In darkness as is wise II
- a city within the war zone. for thu
I. church has learned its lessons from
"a Rheims and its other despoiled re-
L..
ligious houses.
The rare pedestrians who pass al
night through the solitary ways or
either side of the Vatican are regular
nc " stopped by carabinieri And Il
OF these passers-by cannot Justify theil
y, presence at that hour in the deserted
re ways they are amiably requested t.
as choose more frequented streets. Ever
ile supply wagons which at dawn clattei
Sc up 10 the Vatican are inspected mi
" nutely, and the drivers have to pre-
ne sent identification cards. Letter car.
az riers and messenger boys are stopped
ol at the bronze gates whore they give
over their messages except those fol
the secretary of state. Special ush
rs ers carry the messages to the othe
~, persons residing within the Vatical
~ walls.
ne II is clear how vigilant an eye th'
- government keeps on the Vatican ant
We how careful is its protection.