Evening star., 1925-02-17
CARDINALS SCORE
HERR|0T'S ACTION
Appeal to Senate to Refuse
Ratification of Suppression
of Vatican Embassy.
BY the Associated Press.

ASSOCIATED
PARIS, February 17.-Cardinals
Lucon. Andrieu, Dubois, Maurin,
Charost and Touchet have sent an
open letter to Premier Herriot pro-
testing against the suppression of the
French embassy at the Vatican. The
cardinals make an open appeal to the
Senate not to ratify the suppression
and to place the interests of France
above party politics.
The cardinals begin their letter to
the premier by calling attention to
their previous letter protesting
against various points in the minis
terial program deemed by them as
likely to alarm the Catholic con-
science. The premier. they add. has
already assumed responsibility for tn e
carrying out of part of this program
by the suppression Of the embassy at
the Vatican. the final vote upon which
deeply wounded their sentiments as
Catholics and Frenchmen.
The suppression of any embassy is
an extremely grave thing" the letter
continues. I'm this instance what are
the motives? Was 1t not the French
government which took the initiative
in the re-establishment of official re-
lations with Rome? What work. what
act, what measure of the Holy See
can be the excuse for the decision now
taken?
And to decide upon such a step
without official notice, was II not a
regrettable wrong? It Is the first
time, we believe. that a similar fact
has been registered in the annals of
diplomacy. Rules exist by which gov
ernments and chancelleries have never
heretofore ceased scrupulously to OBJ
serve. Why should France be the first
to depart from them?"
Call Motive Insumcient.
The letter belittles the arguments
invoked by the government. 1t saws
| the so-called exigencies of faical So
ciety do not interfere with the main
tenance of the embassy at the vati-
can, but. on the contrary. demand
sucn maintenance out Of respect to all
religious creeds In case of a conflict
You yourself understand. II seems
Mr. President of the council" contin-
ues the letter, "the insuflciency Of
| this first motive, because in order to
bolster up your thesis you have seen
fit. at the risk Of offending the Catho-
| lies. to stand as sponsor for erroneous
| interpretations of facts or events pre.
vious to the resumption Of relations
with Rome and for an unfounded
futed.'
The cardinals express regret tba,
| those who spoke in favor of mainte.
nance of the embassy failed to con-
vince the premier. They have AT
| least. says the letter, presented ir-
| REPUTABLE arguments which continue
to protest the decision taken and per-
| NIT us to hope. perhaps. for a near
future retaliation of which our pa
triotism will not be any less proud
than our faith
Sees Attack ON Peace
ITO their protest, stubborn as truth
and justice, we have wished to tofn
ours in our personal names and in
| that OF all the Catholics of France
No animosity mingles with this; It is
made up for the most part of regret
at seeing the government and the ma
1ority of the chamber forget the re-
spect due to the holy see, regret TO
note that the religious peace so nee
essary to the country must Withstand
another attack, regret to feel that
France will soon leave a post where
for such a long time she has occupied
first place, and will become isolated
from the universal church. The ap-
pointment of mere charge of a mis-
sion from Alsace Lorraine cannot rem
edy such painful isolation
God cannot permit that such an
abandonment of our traditions be-
come consummated We retain con-
| fidence that in the senate will be
found a majority of men patriotic and
independent enough to place the in
terests of France above party poll
| tics. 1t is the wish of all clear sight
ed Frenchmen as well as Of all faith
| full Catholics. 1t Is also our wish
| which Is as sincere as our regrets
and our protests"