South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1915-06-22

PARIS. June EN- q. remarkable
interview granted 10 Louis Latapie,
correspondent Of La Libertie. Pope
Benedict. while maintaining the strict
est neutrality. answers charges OF
atrocities against the Germans by
pointing out wrongs committed by the
allies and even by his own italy
against the Holy See.
His holiness went SO far as 10 say
he was unable TO Judge OF the atroci-
ties In Belgium because they were
committed under Pope Plus y. and
that he Pope Benedict, had had
neither the time nor the opportunity
10 order a full inquiry.
You say Belgian priests were taken
rs hostages and shot2' asked Pope
I Benedict Il have received from AUS
trian bishops assurances that the Rus
slams have done the same
When asked WHAT about the de-
( struction Of Louvain? p" the pope mere
+ ly answered:
THE Germans say their troops we're
shot They also solemnly declare the
French had an observation post on the
Rheims cathedral. The vatican is not
\ a court of Justice. IL is not for me to
Judge The judge is in heaven"
AT least one NAV protest against
f the arrest Of prince OF the church, -
said Ldtaple.
MERCER NOt~.Arrcsted.
Now / am going 10 surpris 9you,
his holiness remarked. Cardinal Mer-
cier never was arrested He came and
went most freely in the diocese. l
have received from Gen Won. Kissing,
governor Of Belgium, letter assuring
me he will in future repress with the
greatest energy al acts Of violence
against churches and ministers OF
I God"
Then" writes Latapie. 81 searched
my mind for some accusation to which
, il would be impossible TO reply-some
/ crime without a preteNt, and i sara.
What about the Lusitania? IL
was not a question OF be'ligerents
I there IL was neutrals innocent peo-
pie who paid with their lives.
! CT knew no more frightful crime
replied the pope. What desOlation TO
see our generation the prey of SUCH
/ horrors. / have a fathers heart and
| that heart is lacerated. But do you
| think the blockade OF the empires
which condemns millions of human
/ beings TO famine. is inspired by hu-
name sentiments?
"The pope said this in a voice thrill
ine with profound emotion. He care
fully selected and drove home each
| word. but no doubt he saw my I'M
preston reelected in my face and ne
| suddenly broke in.
81 don't say that after the war
! shall not proclaim a SYLLABUS suliI
marizing the doctrines OF the churCn
on these subjects and regulation for
! future rights and duties of bellger-
cnts Then and there Will be found
without doubt. normal condemnation
J of the crimes committed during the
war" .,..,
t--,1rnod t~'-f-- up another subject
Eve I'm France were painfully affected
TO leorn the Holy See had attempted
= to induce Italy TO remain neutral
Was not this helping the designs OF
herman diplomacy
Wanted Peace for Three Reasons.
"I clearly recognized we were neu
tralist' said the pope. we gave IN
lstructions i'm this sense 10 our friend'
and the newspapers.
eve wanted oeace and that fol
three reasons: First. because l an
GODS representative upon earth ant
God desires peace To- reign amohl
men. The pope can only wish anC
preach for peace.
Next because we are i'm Italy. we
wantCH to save this country we love
from wars sunerings.'
Here slight mist passed over th'
holy fathers eyes.
"FfnaIly we need not disguise the
fact we must also think of the Hol.
Sees interests A state of war places
those interests i'm danger. We are ii
an uncertain situation at the presen
time
Then" Latapie writes. ct put thi
clear question: is the pope free: cal
nc freely and completely fulfil his mis-