The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1915-04-11
HOLY SEE TAKES
down WAR BARS
Greatest Obstacle to Italy's
Going Into Field Is
Removed.
STILL LOYAL TO POPE
Two Antasonistic Powers Reconciled
After Diplomatic Struggle of
Many Years.
STILL LOYAL TO POPE
special 70 The Washinston HsraM.

Special TO The washington Herald.
London. April 10.-The Italian peo-
pie clamor to be sent against their
old Rrch-enemy Austria. but neither
they nor ordinary observers here and
in neutral countries are aware Of the
almost unsurmounta BILE difficulties
which the Italian government must
overcome before IL can send its eager
young soldiers out to fight for the
realization of Italy's dream OF many
decades.
Among the obstacles which were in
the way of Italy's participation in the
war the greatest now appears to have
been removed. This obstacle was the
Holy See. not the Pope personally or
any certain group of cardinals or
bishops, but the Holy See as an in
stitution in the form which has never
been given it by revolutions and the
clever diplomacy of the House of Sa-
voy.
Since the day when the Father Of
Italy, King Victor Emmanuel. entered
Rome and founded the unity Of Italy.
the House Of Savoy has been acting
SO cleverly that the Roman question
has practically ceased to exist. In
reality the Pope no longer claims tenn
poral power which 1t would be impos-
sible for him to enforce unGer modern
conditions, and is satisfied to be the
spiritual ruler Of many millions Of
souls.
Austria is the only power which
still desires to see the restoration of
the Pope's temporal power, perhaps
from pious reasons. but much more
likely because of her perpetual de-
sire to annoy Italy. the old natural
enemy of the Hapsburgers.
City Stin Loyal.
Very few people in the English
speaking countries of the world have
any idea what subtle diplomatic efforts
have been necessary during the last
forty-five years to make 1t possible for
two powers. Of which one pretends
to be the victim while the other is
depicted as the executioner. to in
habit the same city.
The task has been accomplished and
should the Pope decide TO snow him
self in the city which once belonged
to him he would be greeted by en-
thusiastic crowds numbering hundreds
of thousands. The King and Queen
would be the first to leave their mod
ern automobile to knee1 before him as
his antique carriage passed them and
kiss his bejeweled hand. The Pope to-
day is merely an honorary prisoner.
The Italian government may proudly
a.
We have at all times safeguarded
the freedom of his holiness. who may
at any time communicate freely with
the whole Catholic world. Even at
the present time, when the world is
afame. We have safeguarded the in
tegrity Of the conclave, and through
our care cardinals of all countries visit
Rome and return unmoIested to their
own countries."
To solve tho difficulties engendered
the Pope. there were three ways:
Three Ways Out.
Either the Pope must consent to re-
ceive an Italian ambassador and send
nuntio to the Quirinal. This would
mean the formal accekIance OF existing
conditions. This the Pope 10 undoubt-
edly not yet prepared to do.
Or the Pope accompanied BY his
court must leave Rome during the
duration of tho war. a solution which
is unacceptable because the Pope, hav-
ing left Rome even for q single hour,
could never enter again.
The third and most practical solu-
ton is being discussed by the inter-
ested parties 1t il hoped that on the
day when Italy enters the war the
Pope will temporarily give leave to
all foreign ambassadors At the Holy
See, step to which none Of the Cath
Ollie powers can object
The Holy See will not now be the
one to prevent the departure Of the
Italian army when the Quirinal do
cides that the hour for action has
struck.