Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-04-12
VATICAN RELATIONS
QUESTION IS RAISED
Many Letters Being Received
by White House and
State Department.

Many letters inquiring whether diplo-
matte relations are to be restored be-
tween the United States and the Vatican
are being received by the White House
and the State Department from all sec
lions Of the country.
In response to all of these letters
and to those inquiring about the Amer
lean Governments attitude In the event
the present concordat between Italy
and the Vatican, recognizing the sover-
eighty Of the latter state, Is ratified, the
State Department sends brief note
informing the writer's that the 'Ques-
ton has not arisen"
Following the policy of silence estab-
lished by former Secretary Of State
Kellogg when the italian Vatican agree
ments were signed recently by Premier
Mussolini and Cardinal Gasparri, the
papal secretary Of state, the State De-
partment declines to discuss the Ameri-
can attitude on the question In any
way. 1t was pointed out today that
the agreements have not been ratified
and the matter could not be discussed
until final action Is taken by the Papacy
and the Italian government.
U. s. Information Is Unofficial.
The American Government has re-
ceived only the most highly informal
information regarding the agreement
and concordat between the Vatican and
italy It is expected in some circles
here that this Government will be ON
cially informed Of the recognition OF
Italy by the sovereignty of the Vatican
after the agreements are ratified.
In that case, 1t was pointed out, the
United States would then be aware"
of the existence of the Vatican state,
but this would not necessarily imply
diplomatic recognition of its sovereign
status by this Government. 1t Is, OF
course, not known what the attitude
of the American Government on re-
establishment OF diplomatic relations
with the Vatican would be II the con-
cordat and agreements with Italy are
ratified within the prescribed four
months after being signed.
While 1t is not impossible that Cardi-
nal Gasparri might approach the United
States on the question of diplomatic
recognition. after the signing OF the
agreements with Italy, 1t Is doubted
that any formal step would be taken
by the papal secretary of state until
informal approaches had been made to
the American Government to learn Its
attitude.
U. S. Had Envoy so Years Ago.
The United States sent a diplomatic
representative to the Vatican more than
so years ago, after q considerable de-
bate In the Senate over the appropria-
ton for his salary. Those who sup
ported the proposal contended that the
Minister to the Pope would not be sent
In spiritual character. but Ito evince
sympathy with the spirit of freedom"
which had broken out in Italy:
Jacob l.. Martin OF North Carolina
was commissioned charge d'affaires to
the Vatican April Z, 1848. He died at
his post. Lewis CaSs Of Michigan sue
ceeded him and later was raised to, the
rank of Minister resident. From that
time. the United States had four Min
isters. resident at the Vatican, the last
being Rufus King of Wisconsin. who
was commissioned october Z, 1868, and
later resigned
Other Nations Recognize State.
In his message to Congress In 1859.
President Grant said he had been Of
ficially informed Of the annexation OF
the Papal States by Italy and that the
United States had recognized the
change In the status. OF their soyer.
eianty. Since that time the United
states has had no representative at the
Vatican.
An apostolic delegate, representing
the Pope, has been in residence IN
washington for many years, but hes
no diulomatic or other standing with
the American Government. Great Brit
ain. france, Spain. Germany and most
Of the other European nations, as well
as most Of the American nations except
the United states and Mexico, maintain
diplomatic relations with the Vatican.