The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1920-06-05
VATICAN DOES NOT TOTTER

The Italian Government will object
for forms sake to the appearance of
the Pope by proxy on the council of
the League The objection will be
sustained, especially as the covenant
of the League could not be construed
in any other sense. The Pope will be
represented in the assembly in accord
ance with an Interpretation yet to be
made public. This point will have to
be decided by vote from which it is
certain, the Roman journal says, the
Vatican will emerge with yet one
more triumph.
How France Returns to the Vatican.
Anti-clericals are raising the alarm
that when once diplomatic relations
are resumed between France and the
Vatican, they will tend to grow more
and more intimate. Premier Millerand
is not at all influenced by this con-
sideration, although it is observable
that the officials of the Quai d'Orsay
do not relish the new arrangements
The French Republic hopes to
strengthen it's influence with certain
potent factors in the life of Central
Europe by sending an envoy to the
Pope. In Alsace and Lorraine, again.
a concordat has been inherited from
the Germans. In the East a variety
of arguments and considerations can
be urged. France has much to gain
from amicable relations with the Pope
in Syria and other parts of the former
Empire of Turkey. The rights Of
France in Japan and China need a
protection which would be afforded by
the new treaty-for that is what the
disgruntled Populaire calls it. The
colonies in Africa are likewise af-
fected. The idea, as far as the old
Turkish Empire is concerned, is ap-
the Vatican, France will claim some
advantages over other nations as the
traditional protector of all Roman
Catholics. In noting this, the Man
chester Guardian adds that Great
Britain may have her say on this
point.
The Vatican as World Power.
Only the Vatican has emerged from
the war stronger than it was when it
went in, ''Or perhaps we should say
when it stayed out,s to use the phrase
of the Tribuna. Even Rumania and
Japan are effecting their compro-
misses with the new world power. At
time when every Government on
the continent of Europe is revealing
signs Of internal weakness, when Re-
publics totter and Kings live in exile,
the Sovereign Pontiff reigns gloriously
The fact makes its due impression, ad-
mitS our contemporary. The court of
Benedict XIV is now the most impor-
tant in Europe. It's diplomatic recep-
tions throw the house of Savoy into
| the shade The Journalists repair to
| the Vatican and not to the Quirinal
| for the great news of the day. Some.
| times it has to do with a special mis-
| sion from Bohemia, where the inter
vention of the Pope seems alone com
| petent to handle the domestic crisis
Again it will be an envoy from Hun
gary, where the Vatican is supreme
| Again it may be a rescript concerning
the Ukraine. Wherever one turns, the
evidences of the validity and triumph
of Vatican diplomacy greet the eye
and Benedict XIV reigns with undis
| puted sway from Bolivia, which ha:
| recently sent him an envoy, to Japan
the latest Government to make ap
plication for the recognition that ha!
so graciously been accorded to thu
French Republic"