The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1921-01-15
SURRENDER WAS INFLUENCED
BY VATlCAN'S APPEALS-LET-
TIERS ADDRESSED TO D'ANNUN-
zio AND MAYOR GlGANTE BY
THE ADMINISTRATOR APosToL-
IC AND CARDINAL GASPARRI.
(By N. C. w. C. News service.)


The Holy See is entitled to a con-
siderable share r. be creait for
Gabrielle d'Annunzio's final acceptance
of the treaty of Rapallo and the sur
render of Fiume after relatively
small loss of life. The extent of the
Vatican's endeavors for settlement
of the conflict is to be seen in the cor
respondence that passed between rep
resentatives of the Pope and the Com
mander and the Mayor of Fiume.
Although d'Annunzio and Mayor
Gigantic did not return the assurances
that were requested by Cardinal Gas
parri, Secretary of State, and Don
Celso Constantine, Apostolic Admins
traitor of Fiume, it is believed that
their ultimate decision to capitulate
was Influenced by the arguments
urged upon them by the Pope's repre-
Sentatives.
~.-.- Don constantini's Appeal.
Enthusiastically, Fiume belongs to
the diocese of Veglia. When d'Annun-
zio took possession of the city it was
isolated, and the Holy See, in order to
provide for it's spiritual government.
appointed Don Celso Constantini as
Apostolic Administrator. Don Con-
stantini had been a chaplain in the
Italian army and was well known as a
patron of sacred art From the begin
ming of the war, after the Italian occu-
patton of Aduileia, he had devoted
himself to the excavations and repairs
of the famous Cathedral of that town
which was once the splendid seat OF
the patriarchate that was transferred
to Venice after Aquileia was, destroyed
by Attila.
Don Celso Constantini has governed
Fiume with great zeal, neglecting ne
opportunity to hasten the pacific solu
ton of the Adriatic problem. Ever
d'Annunzio greatly appreciated Dor
Constantini's spirit and his priestl!
activities, but Difference to the Com
mander did not prevent the Apostolic
Administrator from raising his voice
when d'Annunzio allowed himself Ger
tain manifestations that the Churcl
could not approve. Thus, for example
when d'Annunzio compiled the statute
of the state of Fiume Don Constantine
in a letter no less energetic thai
respectful and earnest, proteste'
against the pantheistic spirit whicl
peryaded them and insulted the Chris
tian faith.
Again, following the adoption of tn
treaty of Rapallo, the Apostolic Ac
ministrator of Fiume felt obliged t
intervene publicly in the question an
to counsel d'Annunzio to accept tn
agreement between Italy and Jugt
Slavia. %
This letter produced an eXceller
impression on the Italian people, bl
d'Annunzio did not reply. Don Col
stantini, however, was not discourage
A few days after dispatching the firs
letter, he addressed himself again
the Commander. After speaking !
the name of the peoples sentiment
he next appealed to the poets persons
sentiments, and exhorted him in til
memory of his dead mother to refe'
on his responsibility as Commando
of Fiume and on his duty to avoi
sacrificing even one of the young liv'
that surrounded him in any atteml
to attain an impossible end.
Cardinal Gasparri's Appeal.
Following these appeals of Don Co
stantini. Cardinal Gasparri intervene