Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-02-07
ROMAN QUESTION
ACCORD REACHED
Concordat to Be Signed Sum-
day, Gasparri, PapaI State
Secretary, Says.
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
ROME, February 7.-Dednite and
formal announcement of the conclusion
Of momentous agreement between the
Holy See and Italy for settlement of the
long-pending Roman question involv-
ing the relations between the Vatican
and the Italian state was made today
by Cardinal Gasparri, papal secretary
of state.
Having summoned the diplomatic
body accredited to the Vatican, the
cardinal briefly communicated news of
the agreement, which is everywhere
looked upon as one of the most i'm
portant events in modern history.
Immediately after the meeting of the
diplomats at the state apartment, in
the Vatican, Cardinal Gasparri was re-
ceived by Pope Plus XI, who said that
he was exceedingly pleased.
i am so happy about what has hap
pened, and / am sure that Premier
Mussolini will be just as happy" the
Pontif was quoted as saying. II con-
slider that he was sent by Providence
to put an end to the insufferable posi-
ton OF the Pope in Rome"
Meeting Is Impressive.
Although the meeting of the diplo-
mats was exceedingly brief, 1t was ex-
tremely impressive. The cardinal,
dressed in his red robes and red skull
cap, told the diplomatic body, which
had grouped around a large oblong
tahln fhof a fuyAfn1L frao t,,
concluded between Italy and the
Vatican. ~
Part one concerned the question of
conciliation between church and state,
a question that has been of grave i'm
port ever since the loss of temporal
power. The second part was in three
sections and regulated the future rela-
tions between the Holy See and Italy.
This agreement will be signed on
Sunday in the Lateran Palace. Mean
while there are a few small details which
will be ironed out.
At the conclusion of the meeting all
the Ambassadors and Ministers hurried
to communicate with their respective
governments.
Preparations Made for Signing.
Already preparations are being made
at the Lateran Palace, where the his
toric agreement will be signed on Sun
day, Cardinal Gasparri signing for the
Pope and Premier Mussolini for King
Emmanuel.
The ceremony will be held in large
room called the papal hall, which con-
tainS the best specimens of the So
called Christian museum. The Lateran
Palace was the original residence of the
Popes from the time that the Emperor
Constantine converted himself to Chris
tianity until the return of the Holy See
from Avignon more than a thousand
years ago. The original palace, which
was much larger than the present
structure, was erected by Pope SiXtus v
at the end of the sixteenth century.
Signing of the concordat will end an
eStrangement between Vatican and Ital-
ian states which began in 1870 with the
investing of Rome by the troops of King
Victor Emmanuel I Of Italy and subse-
quent self-imposed imprisonment of the
Pope at the Vatican.
Italy Makes Concessions.
In the agreement the Vatican has
Subordinated claims to added temporal
power to recognition of its principles of
moral law in Italy. Various concessions
dIC uldUc Iklc ClIuASi Ny Vic 1CdlldlI
state relating to the power of the Pope
in the Vatican area. Regarded as even
more important than these, however, is
the agreement of the Italian govern
ment to do its utmost to secure OBJ
servance of the churchs canon law
throughout italy.
"It is, therefore," noted theologian
observed, mot a question of temporal
power but a question of spiritual and
religious principles for which the Holy
See continues its unrelenting and in
herent struggle"
Whatever may have been conceded,
much that the Vatican has sought in
its efforts to regain its temporal power
is accorded it in the agreement.
While there is to be only small ad-
dition to the Vatican grounds-the Pope
having refused the Villa Doria enlarge.
ment offered him-the Pope Is to be
ruler supreme within its confines.
Cash Indemnity Allowed.
He is to have the power of coming
money, issuance of banknotes, postage
stamps and other prerogatives of a SOW
ereign state. He will have his own rail-
way station, telegraph and telephone
post, wireless station and aviation field.
His domain is to be known as the
Vatican City, or the Vatican State"
A monetary indemnity of two billion
lire (about sos, 900. .000), of which one
billion is payable in cash or Italian
government bonds Immediately, Is al
lowed. The remainder will be paid In
yearl ylnstallments. with interest,":