Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-03-14
TREATY OPENS NEW.
ERA, DUCE ASSERTS.
Report Hints Vatican City
viii Not Seek Entry in
League of Nations.
Continued From First Page.)

Continued From First Page)
culiarities "of this city which can be
called the city of souls more than city
Of things and men,"
There never was any question OF in
tervention of foreign powers, he said,
adding that 1t was Superfluous to point
out that the article of the treaty where
by the Vatican is recognized as neutral
makes it inviolable and extraneouS to
temporal competition among states.
THE Vatican is defended not only by
its smallneSs, as it is no proof of valor
to attack a small state while it will
always be merit to defend it, but also
by the fact the italian state surrounding
the Vatican solemnly proclaims itself a
Catholic state in article one of the
treaty.
Consequences Obvious.
"The political, religious, moral and
beneficial consequences of the agree
ment are obvious, while its solution by
the Fascist regime shows its efficiency
and solidity''
Premier Mussolini then remarked that
while the political treaty regulates the
rapport between Italy and the Holy See.
the central international organ of the
Holy Catholic Church, the concordat
regulates the relation between the Ital-
ian state and the Italian church.
The first OF the two acts was neces-
sary.' he said, ito resolve the unhappy
misunderstanding arising during the
formation of Italian unity from the
compleXity of circumstances derived
perhaps more from the fatality of his
toric events than from Ill will of men.
That misunderstanding has disturbed
for more than 10 years the conscience
OF Italians. This misunderstanding
which was concerned particularly with
the territorial extent of the Holy See
and to guarantee the independence nee
esSary to the Supreme Pontiff for the
exercise of his spiritual mission in the
world, demanded in accord of particu-
lar character and Of essentially political
nature"
Reviews Political Conditions.
The premier then reviewd the po-
litical conditions and the philosophy of
leaders Of about 1870, which gave rise
to the Roman question.
The rigid principle of separation of
church and state, dear to the liberal
doctrine of a free church in a free
state, the premier said had to UNDERGO
frequent tempering and exceptions
through which a series of faculties were
reserved to the state before relations
between the church and state could be
maintained by the former statesmen.
He then described the change in the
Ieellng OF the state before the signing
OF the present accord.
For some time before the historic
event OF February II the sharpness of
relations between state and church was
somewhat attentuated. Particularly
through the merit of Fascism the state
had affirmed that its character and that
OF the state were essentially catholic.
In the Schoolrooms and courtrooms
the cruciflx had returned after having
been a long time banished. The civil
least days We're made to coincide with
those OF the church.; spiritual assistance
was established for the armed forces of
the state and the young mems organi-
zatlons; and ecclesiastical legislation
was applied with a spirit.
In Catholic State the Catholic
Cnurch ought to enjoy the juridicial
situation of particular favor If not of
privilege in the old sense of the word.
Reaffirms Principle.
ARTICLE one of the concordant re-
affirms this principle on which no doubt
can fall"
From the concordat It is evident. the |
premier said, that the old liberal doc
trlne OF separation between church and |
state comes to be abandoned.
We renounce the idea," he said, "of |
considering the Catholic Church as |
private association under common law
with religion, a problem of individual |
conscience in which the state is not
and of the state as an Or
agnostic in religious matters
and indifferent to all religions.
Inc concordat inaugurates a regime
OF accord and collaboration, no longer
confusion, between the church ard
state. The. collaboration expressed In
the concord preSupposes a distinction
between two powers, one dominating in |
the field OF religious conscience and the
other in the civil political field but |
between the two fields there are rela-
tons and continuous interferences so
that the necessity of accord and COL |
alteration of church and state appears
manifest.
"One must not forget that the italian
state, which is the Fascist state, has not |
abandoned any part of its sovereignty |
Neither must one fear that the con-
cordat revives in Italy the Middle Ages
ana al! the old situations which modern |
tlmes mad and have eliminated"
Says Others Not Touched.
Other religions. the premier declared. |
Will not be touched by the accord.
IN the concordat the Catholic |
Church Is assured the free exercise of |
It's spiritual power and receives a posi-
ton OF special prestige in consideration
OF the fact that the Catholic religion |
Is the official religion OF the state" he
said.
But the full liberty in the exercise
OF other cults existing in the state and
equality OF citizens before the law, what
ever religion they profess, is not and
could not be touched in the slightest |
way. We propose to set this fact forth
with precise laws guaranteeing in a
tangible manner the free exercise of
every cult when it is not contrary to
pubic order and the common good,
reaffirming lack of connection between
religion and enjoyment of civil and
political right of the Kingdom
The Italian state will be careful to