New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-10-28

her historical position makes this nsc-
essary.
Pope Claims All
AS His Children
Accordingly, We have had many evi-
dences that the war has been the
subject Of deep consideration on the
part Of the Vatican. The Pope has
even gone beyond the defined attitude
Of the Church, and he has announced
that he regards all the belligerents as
his children and himself as the COM
mon father, irrespective Of the affllia-
tions adopted by these people and
their governments-even though they
are mot yet" Catholics, he puts It.
Many times he has issued prayers,
addresses and appeals to the belligerent
nations, urging peace.
He made a strenuous effort TO secure
a Christmas truce, and, as q matter OF
fact, such an armistice was quite
generally observed by the armies, al
though il was not accepted by the au-
thorities; we are told by the soldiers
themselves that at Christmas they
sang across mo Mans Land" from
trench to trench. exchanged cigarettes
and delicacies and fraternized quite
freely and generally. Then the Pope
has exerted a very great influence In
securing the exchange of prisoners who
were ncapacitated for military service,
in having thousands Of prisoners trans
ferred to Switzerland, where they have
received much better treatment and at
tention, and in securing commutation
of sentences and pardons for large
number Of condemned persons.
There is no doubt that in these mat
tiers the Pope has been able to exert an
influence for great good; he has
strengthened himself with large sle-
ment, and as far az he has been able to
go he has really earned the gratitude
of mankind.
The Vatican, therefore, believes that
II has added very much to It's prestige
during the war. Both England and
Russia have sent ministers Of state to
Rome accredited to the Vatican, which
action is taken by the Church TO mean
that those countries are coming to rec
ognize the authority Of the Pope.
Head of Church
Deemed Policeman
The simple truth is that the Pope is
everywhere considered pro-German. His
enemies constantly accuse him Of be-
ing in league with the Central Pow
ers. In the first place, there Is the
fact that Austria is the greatest Cath
Ollie nation on earth, and the relations
between the Vatican and Vienna are
we'll known. 1t Is impossible that the
Pope should look with complacence
upon the prospect of seeing Austria
crushed, for if there still remains a
hope of regaining temporal supremacy
or Of securing another group Of Papal
states such a hope is undoubtedly
closely bound up with the success of
Austria. And to-day this means moth
ing but the triumph of Germany. In
the second place, the Pope has been
subjected to a vast deal Of criticism
because Of his refusal. or failure, to
denounce the invasion Of Belgium and
the outrages consequent upon such in.
vasion.
Again, there are those who believe
that the Church cherishes a deep ro-
sentiment against France, once her ia,
vorite child, for having cast off the
establishment some years ago. and that
she would not be averse to having
France Inundated, especially if such
/ humiliation were accompanied by ad
vantages accruing to Austria.
This is strenuously denied by Catko.
lies; they declare that France is still
the favorite daughter of the Vatican, In
| spite OF her detection. But as mat.
ter OF fact, it is plain to be seen that
there is deep gulf between France
and Rome. France was the last natiCr
to express any gratitude to the Pop,
for his services in the transfer Of pris
oners. and her reticence has been much
commented upon.
Then France is the only nation thai
does not exempt priests from military
service; thousands of them have beer
conscripted and are fighting In tn,