Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-03-28
ITALY OVERCOMES
GREAT OBSTACLE
Holy See No Longer in Way Of
Impending War With
Austria.
SUBTLE DIPLOMACY WINS
Few Realize Delicate Situation
Which Has Existed for
Many Years.

Special Cable to Tho Times Dispatch
LONDON. March 27.--The Italian
people clamor to be sent against their
oid arch enemy. Austria. but neither
'hey nor ordinary observers here and
IN neutral countries are aware OF the
almost unsurmountable difficulties
which the Italian government must
overcome before II can send It's eager
%ouns soldiers out to fight for tho
realization of Italys dream OF many
decades
Among the obstacles which were in
the way OF Ttaly's participation In the
war. the greatest now appears to have
been removed. This obstacle was the
Holy Sec. not the Pope personally or
any certain group OF cardinals or
bishops. but the Holy See as an
institution in the form which has
never been given IL by revolutions and
the clever diplomacy OF the house of
savoy.
Since the day when the Father OF
italy. King Victor Emanuel, entered
Home and founded the unity OF Italy.
the house OF Savoy has been acting SO
cieTeriy that the Roman question has
practically ceased to exist. In reality.
the rope no longer claims temporal
power. which it would be impossible
diiions. and is satisfied to be the
spiritual ruler OF many millions of
souls
Austria Is the only power which
s'!ll desires 10 500 tho restoration Of
the Popo's temporal power, perhaps
from pious reasons, but much more
likely because of her perpetual desire
20 annoy Italy. the old natural enemy
OF the Hapsburgers.
VERY FEW KNOW OF
DIPLOMATIC EXPORTS
Very few people in the English
speaking countries OF the world have
any idea what subtle diplomatic CT
forts have been necessary during the
last forty-hve years to make II pos
sblc for two powers OF which one pro-
tends TO be tn. victim. while the other
IS depicted the eHecutioner, to In
habit the same city
The task has been accomplished and
should tho Pope decide to show him
self In the city which once belonged to
him he would be greeted by-cnthu-
siastic crowds numbering hundreds OF
thousands The King and Queen
would be the first 10 leave their mod
ern automobile 10 kneei before him as
his antique carriage passed them and
day is merely an honorary prisoner.
The Italian government may proud
" say 10 Austria. bavaria and Amer
lea:
we have at all times safeguarded
the freedom OF His Holiness who may
~ any time communicate freely with
the whole Catholic world. Even at
IN" presen, time. when the world is
aaame We have safcguarded the in
teErty Of the couclavc. and through
our care, cardinals of all countries visit
Rome ana return unmol-sted TO their
own Countr!en"
To solve the difficulties engendercd
by tho war regarding the position OF
the Pope, there were three ways:
Either the Pope must consent TO re-
ceive an Italian amba ssador and sent
a nuncio 10 the Quirinal This would
mean the formal acceptance OF existing
conditions This the pope Is, un-
doubtediy. not yet prepared to do.
Or. tho Pope. accompanied by his
! court. must leave Rome during the
! duration OF the war. solution which
Is unacceptable because the Pope, hav-
ing left Rome even for single hour,
could never enter again.
The third and most practical solution
is being discussed by the interested par
ties. II is hoped that on the day when
italy enters the war the Pope will tom
porarily give leave to all foreign am
6assadors at the Holy Sec. n step to
which none Of the Catholic powers can
object.
The Holy See Will not now be the ono
10 prevent the departure OF the Italian
army when the Quirinal decides that
the hour for action has struck.