The menace., 1917-12-29
MAY PUT WIRELESS
. ON ST. PETERS DOME
Vatican Wants In Touch With Ger
many and Russia---SwitzerIand
and Austria Also Mentioned

The vatican, not satisfied with the
slower processes of service at its
command, wants to put wireless on
st. Peters Dome. This, because it
would keep the vatican in close touch
with its diplomatic representatives
and particularly, Switzerland, Aus
trla, Germany and Russia. Just
why the vatican is anxious to be in
close touch with these particular
states is not stated but we recall
that Monsignor Gerlach arranged to
carry contraband across Switzerland
we remember that the papers unmis-
takably involving him in the three,
fold plots of intrigue were found in
Austria and we know he was acting
in the interest Of Germany, but just
where Russia comes in is a matter
OF conjecture, unless, perchance, the
pope wants to help Germany in peacs
negotiations with that uncertain peo-
pie. The pope in seeking this new
convenience does not make a direct
request of the Italian government
but starts the ball to rolling in q
roundabout way that he hopes will
do the work. We quote a dispatch
taken from the Boston Globe, issue
for December 18th: q.
MILAN, Dec. 13.-The establish
ment of a wireless station on the
dome of st. Peters in Rome has been
suggested to the vatican, so that il
may secure Independent transmission
Of foreign messages of diplomatic
character in code and also receive
confidential and reliable reports from
the vatican's representatives abroad
The question of speed is involved
since at the present time wire trans
mission from France and England
consumes several hours, while much
longer is required to receive messages
and news from the United States.
"While the vatican has not COM
planned to the Italian government re-
garding telegraphic communication
it is assumed that the censor uses
ordinary precautions. During the
war the majority of the confidential
messages from the pope or Cardinal
Gasparri, the papal secretary Of
state, have been sent by special
courier. Lesser messages have been
sent by mail.
ut is pointed out that the wireless
would have the advantage of dealing
with Switzerland, Austria, Germany
and Russia. The vatican never has
been able to rely upon newspaper
reports for quick news. It has never
been sure Of German news, as to
whether how much has been left out
or how much has been doctored. The
same applies to Russian news, in
which the vatican Is much interested
"The Italian government is not
likely to reise decided objections, be-
cause the vatican never has paid tolls
on its messages. The proposed wire
less would relieve the heavy pressure
on existing ordinary lines"
1t will be seen that to give the vat
lean wireless station of its own, in
dependent of the Italian government
service, might be a great convenience
to the pope. It would be on par
with the law that allows you to ship
any parcel post package to Italy
without being inspected but will not
allow a package to go to other coun-
tries, except papalized Argentine, or
the same conditions.
Italy has had some bitter expert.
ences with privileges that have been
abused by such members Of the vat
lean household as Gerlach and such
luminaries as Gunther. What will
she do about the pope's wireless?