The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-12-16

on tho urgent necessity OF preventing
n repetition III any future time OF
any such obstacle to papal influence In
international affairs. Tho following,
taken from the Munich Aiigemeinc Rund-
schuu. Ia n typical specimen Of this phase
Of German propaganda:
THE Pope's supreme authority and
his divine mission to direct and to rule
the whole church make II necessary that
he should enjoy In full security absolute
freedom and sovereign independence. II
VIII be realized that the PUpe's present
position is intolerable when II Is re-
membered that the diplomatic represent
ativos OF the countries at war with
italy who were duly accredited to the
Vatican have been Obliged to leave
kome. Was their departure due to
any action on the part OF tho italian
Government? No: on the contrary we
u admit that the italian authorities
made every effort Il enable the Minis
ters OF Prussia and Austria and Ba-
varia Ut the Vatican to remain In Rome.
They left because facts were stronger
Than the Government of Italy.
why Diplomatists Left.
Their departure was necessary for
their personal safety and to preserve
their dignity: also because their con.
tinued presence in Rome would have
caused difficulties n mbarrassments
10 the vatican. We need not emphasize
'ne danger to their own persons the
excuses OF the mob at Milan are SUI
fciently we'll known 10 make any elab-
grafton OF this point superfous. With
regard 10 their dignity. the demand thst
their communications with their own
Governments should b. transmitted nv
sea through the English Channel to
holland. n thence to Berlin, Munich
ana Vienna. and that the Vatican should
give a guarantee that such communica-
tons contained no information of mill.
AZ value WAS In itself sufficient 10
make their continued stay in Rome i'm
possible.
This stipulation was unacceptable
being incompatible with the dignity OF
diplomatic ENJOYS. who have u right 10
communicate with their Government
freely n without alien supervision. II
would have been equally an ~indigni,y in.
nicted upon these diplomatic ENJOYS IL
they had been obliged to beg the Vatican
to forward their confidential reports TO
their Governments; moreover, the Vati-
cans responsibility might have led 10
endless difficulties and dissgreeable COM
p!ications between the Pope and Italy.
POpe's Sentiments.
The Pope feels In equal degree tho
sunerlngs or all his children. 1t Is there
fore a source OF intense sorrow to him
that at 4 time like the present he Is iso-
lated from part OF his flock because they
belong to countries against which Italy
Is waging "A The Pope. who can now
only maintain diplomatic relations with
the representatives OF one OF the rival
groups OF Powers, cannot hear the op,n-
ion Of all sides. and II IL difficult for
him TO gain sufficient knowledge OF facts
to form an impartial judgment on the
international situation. The international
character of the Pope's suzerainty is
thus greatly restricted and he Is deprived
OF the means OF fulfilling his universal
mission
: far as the Vatican is concerned
he Pope has defined his position 40
clearly that zone but Berlin diploma
lists. with their cynical disregard OF
solemn pledges. could reckon with the
possibility OF securing his sympathy for
the Germanic Powers by this rather
crude intrigue, But. apart from the
Pope himself, there are influential dig.
nitaries Of the Roman Catholic Church
at the Vatican and elsewhere. whose
leanings toward the Central Empires
are notorious, and Berlin hopes 10 use
them ~ Instruments Of German policy
Moreover. Germany. In her desperat,
search for friends, counts on attracting
Roman Catholic laymen all over the
world who. In ignorance OF the Pope's
attitude Of absolute impartislity. may
fall into the trap"