The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1928-02-16
Solution OF Roman Question
Looms as a Probability In
Near Future, According ia
Salvatore Cortesi, Associ.
ated Press Correspondent in
Rome

ASV01UV
Editors Note: Solution Of the
"Roman question:" involving the
relationship between the vati-
can and the Italian government
since the end Of temporal power
in 1870, looms as probability
of the near future. Progress Of
the negotiations is told in the
following article by Salvatore
Cortesi, for the past Is years
correspondent of the Associated
Press in Rome.)
BY SALVATORE CORTESl
(Associated Press Correspondent In
Romeo
oRme, Feb. 16.-(AP)-The year
1928 perhaps may become as note.
worthy in the religious history Of
the world for the solution Of the
Roman question:" as the year 1870
for the fall Of IT,, Vatican's tenn
poral power.
It is possible that the figure Of
King Victor Emmanuel II, of that
day, who transformed the apostolic
palace Of the quirinal into the royal
residence Of the new King Of United
Italy, may be remembered through
out the centuries as contrasted to
that Of Premier Mussolini as one who
brought about Cancellation between
church and state. Above them will
tower two Popes: Plus TX, who by
his celebrated non possumus 1--WE are
not able) rendered impossible for
nearly 60 years not only an UNDER
standing but even a modus viviendi
between quirinal and Vatican, and
the present pontiff, who, after about
six years of negotiations, study and
deep reflection, has decided to give
religious peace to Italy, the seat of
the papacy, and assuage the anxiety
of the Catholic world concerning the
status Of the head Of the church in
the eternal city.
(The mon possumus" was the
form Of ecclesiastical refusal by
which Pope Plus TX declined to ac-
cept the law Of guarantees adopted
by the Italian senate in 1871 con-
corning the prerogatives of the Holy
See and the relations between state
and church in Italy.)
Mussolini's Edict
At the beginning Of 1927, Premier
Mussolini. speaking on the "Roman
question:" said 1T must be con-
cluded and settled by next Easter"
Unforeseen circumstances have
prevented this, notwithstanding
willingness on both sides and the eff
forts and ability Of the chief negoti-
ator, who remains in the dark and is
almost unknown, the Rev. Tacchi-
Ventura. He is Jesuit, q scholar in
history and literature.
The Rev. Tacchi- Ventura knew
Mussolini before the latter assumed
office as premier, but their acquaint-
ance grew very close through Plus
XXI, q few months afte: the advent
of the Fascist.
According to reliable reports, the
following are practically the main
points agreed upon for the solution
o. the "Roman question"
l. The italian state grants to the
Holy See an extension OF its terri
tory which will enjoy the right Of
extraordinarily as it has been en-
joyed by the apostolic palaces and
the Vatican gardens since 1870. The
new territory to be added is on the
southeast of the Vatican gardens and
includes the beautiful villa Doria-
Pamphi!ia, one Of the largest near
Rome.
Italy Grants Indemnity
2. Italy further grants to the
pope an indemnity for the loss sus-
tanned by the Holy See through the
fall Of the temporal power, in addi-
tion to the payment Of the allowance
established by the law of guarantees
passed by the Italian government
on May -, 1871-for the upkeep Of
the government Of the church. Hith-
erto, tie pontiff has refused this al
lowance Of 1926, 900 gold lires year
~, and the total amount now, If held
to be due, would at the present rate
Of exchange, with compound interest,
for about 50 years, exceed two bill
lion gold iires approximately
$400, 00O, 000). Adding to this sun,
what the Vatican claims for confisea-
ton and occupation Of church prop
erty, Italy's debt reaches so many
billions that it is impossible to con-
template the payment in lump sum.
Means will have to be found to
bring it within the range Of posi-
bility, such as spreading it over .
long period, instead Of paying cash
down.
g. The conclusion Of q concord.
ate between Italy and Holy See, an
ticipating, as much as is humanity
possible, al conceivable divergences
in order to find way to prevent
them, or at least to solve them
should they arise, would be notified
to MI the countries which have
diplomatic relations with the vati-
can and with the Italian govern.
ment.
It is understood that the pope
before going further in the discus.
sion concerning the solution of the
"Roman question" desires to ex.
anime personally the precise impress
sion which the pourparters between
church and state in italy have pro.
duced in the various countries
Above all, he is anxious to hear
what the clergy and faithful Of the
United States think, since America
IL the third Catholic power in the
world, according to population
coming immediately after Italy and
Francs, but Is the first with regard
to the funds she supplies to the
Holy See. Indeed, according t.
what has leaked out regarding the
Vatican finances, her contribution
exceeded those Of the whole o1
Europe.