The Washington times., 1917-04-09
GERMAN INTRIGUE
WORRIES VATICAN
Proposals for Restoration OF
Pope's Temporal Power
Not Pleasing.

ROME, April S.-A solution OF the
"Roman question" consisting in
partial restoration of the temporal
power of the Pope is considered by
German Catholics as one of the in
man question" as far as German
Catholics were concerned had been
entirely forgotten before the war and
while the Triple Alliance was in
force. Austrian Catholics, on the con-
trary, never lost interest in the ques-
tion Of the independence of the Holy
See.
Before the war the Germans pre-
ferred Italy to the Pope and now they
prefer the Pope to Italy. Just as po-
litical expediency caused them to for
get the Roman question when Italy
was their ally, now that she is their
enemy they are much interested in
the restoration of temporal power to
the Pope. Their interest is based on
political motives.
The Pope depIores the efforts made
by German Catholics toward solu-
tion of the Roman question. He
wishes to leave 1t entirely In abey-
ance lest his peace initiatives should
tributed to personal interest.
1t is reported on the best author
ity that had the Germans refrained
from taking so much interest in the
Holy See a reconciliation between
the Vatican and France would have
been probable. The Pope told
French cardinal that Germany was
TO blame for prolonging the estrange-
ment of France and the Catholic
Church.
Father EhrIe's' Plan.
Father Ehrle, late director of the
Vatican library, who spent most of
his life in Rome, knew the present
Pope intimately and is considered one
OF the most learned members OF the
Jesuit Order, wrote an article in the
Stimmen der Zeit, proposing a radical
solution of the Roman question.
According to Father Ehrle, whose
article was supposed to have been
submitted to the Pope's approval be-
fore publication, even without grant
ing any territory to the Pope, the in
dependence of the Holy See would be
complete IL merely guaranteed by the
European powers. In order to spare
Italy any humiliation or diminish in
any way Italy's sovereign rights on
Rome, a mere diplomatic formality
consisting in the notification by a
verbal note on the part of all the Eu-
ropean powers to Italy would be suf-
fcient A more simple solution sure
ly could not be found, yet German
Catholics were not satisfied.
Vatican Keeps Quiet.
The Vatican remained silent, prob
abby because the Pope's experience
durin- the war convinced him how
dangerous official or inspired affir-
nations and denials are, since they
are inevitably misinterpreted, and as
a result while some people were sure
that the Pope's silence meant tacit
approval of Father Ehfle's proposal
others were equally sure that II in
dicated disapproval.
Father Ehrle declares first of all
that temporal power Is indispensable
to the Pope for the exercise of his
spiritual authority, and he quotes
theologians to bear him out In prac
tice the temporal sovereignty Of the
Pope is justified by the necessity OF
the independence of the church, i'm
plying that the Pope should reside
where pilgrims are free to visit him
~ any 1EOH pdINS VI Ahc
world and where diplomatic missions
accredited to the Holy See can be es
tabIished; in other terms, a real Pom
tifical state. 1t follows, according tc
the German Jesuit, that no Pope has
the right to renounce absolutely and
Internationally the idea OF such g
Pontifical state. 1t is for the Pope
TO decide what dimensions such q
state ought to have, as its boundaries
cannot be determined with mathemat.
ical exactness. The principle of tenn
poral power, however. must remain
unaltered, and II is the Pope's duty
not only to uphold il but to avail
himself as much as possible of all oc
casions offered for its restoration.
The obstacles to a restoration oi
temporal power increase every year
and owing to italian national unity
and Italy's growing Importance as g
nation the restoration OF the Pontifi
cal States as they existed before 1S7C
Is practically out of the question
The present war has still further
complicated the situation. Even IL ar
entirely satisfactory solution canno
be reached owing to Italy's opposi
tion. some sort Of provisional arrange
ment could be possible. The Pope'i
position would be improved even witt
a minimum concession on the part o.
Italy, and such an arrangement NIGH
II