The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1917-08-17
THE POPE AND DIPLOMACY.

The appearance of the pope raising his hand and beckoning to Christ
endom to attend TO outlines for peace probably is accepted more as a mat
ter Of course in the old world than in America Overseas they are more
apt 70 regard the Roman pontH not only Is the head of a great church, but
also as exercising no little influence in the chanceneries Of many coun
tries. Yet quite apart from his prestige in temporal matters his holiness
commands attention as a n ecclesiastical leader, and being the spiritual
shepherd Of millions engaged on both sides in the wa he stands ut pre-
eminenty as an exalted figure in the religious world.
For man ages, saw only at remotely unconnected intervals. the pope
vas n earthly ruler Not until the time of Plus TX in 1871 did this per
ogadve pass from him. The papal states had a population Of more than
100000 and territory OF 10000 square miles, quite a area when space
is considered in that part of the world. It vas the realization Of the unity
Of Italy that saw this temporal authority pass elsewhere, and until that
time the pope a a prince. the head of a state as much as any Euro
pean ruler " vas His government levied axes. functioned for the
people, raiseda armies. when the stern necessities OF the times required
II, used them. On several occasions the papal army took the field, if not
to save Chrstendom then to go to the assistance Of princes exhoted by
the pope to protect it.
persists as an influential factor and. perhaps at times, like the present
rs d timely and consiatory one; ne that may use its good offices Of
dtsinterestedness to bring mn back TO the realization that arbitration
sometimes effects what long resort to arms seems impoent to accom-
plsh
In it's relations with other states and heads Of states the vatican com
municates through its secretaries Of state. While the United States main
tans no diplomatic mission at the vatican, nor does Mexico, vet nearly
all the Central and South American republicans, Is well as several Euro
pean powers, do These ENJOYS are accredited 70 the holy see. and are
quite apart from those who ofhciate in the embassies and legations at the
court o. Italy. Thus besides the American republics. Portugal Russia
Spain. AustraHungary. Belgium. the Netherlands and Prussia and Ba
vara Gor Germany have ministers or ambassadors at the vatican; and
at the capitals of those countries are papal ENJOYS. To this list must be
added the new English minister at the vatican After IN interval of cen
turtles when the great war broke out. England resumed direct diplomatic
relations with the holy see As far as this country is concerned, the pap
scy has a delegation at Washington, the delegates functions being
wholly ecclesiastical in character He is the channel through whom
American Catholics transact business with Rome
Having q worldwide organization. with worldwide facilities for in
formation q well as ancient prestige and diplomatic recognition from
mechanism for addresses to the different governments Besides. the Ro
ma diplomats are men Of broad education, and have a training that comes
from direct acquaintance with the usages of International diplomacy
So, peace suggestions from the vatican bear certain weight regard
less Of whether the warning governments accept them. They come from
a source whose chief and chief advisers are men who have not only mast
cred the formulas Of religion, but who are versed n the science Of state
craft as we'll