New Britain herald., 1930-07-12
upheld the order for his rem oval.
 Refused to Receive Strickland

The British Minister to the Vat demnation of a priest, who was British subject, to leave British territory at the command of for eigner. However, it was suggest eG the Vatican send an Apostolic Visitor to Malta to examine into all the circumstances of this case and of the various politic-religious troubles in the island. This was done The visitor Monsgnor Rob- inson, returned to Rome to make his report. In the meantime, Lord Strickland prepared to go to Rome, but Cardinal Gasparri, then Papal Secretary of State. informed the British government that StricG- land was not persona grata to the Holy See: in other words, that ha could not and would not be re- ceived or dealt with.
 Accompanying Cardinal Gaspar- r's letter. was a memorandum saying that under the present Nal tese Ministry. Malta was subject to a regime of terror and despot- ism, with parliamentary opposi- ton disarmed, the pressed gagged, the courts threatened, the consti- tuition endangered and the Church and religion openly insulted and opposed.
 The British government sent to the Vatican a sharp note regard ing it's action in saying Strickland was not persona grata. The note said it seemed incompatible with the existence of friendly and dip lomatic relations that the Holy See should thus treat a minister exercising executive functions in British territory. In the next place, the note went on. the Holy See had, without previous warn ing Or consultation with Britain, sent instructions to the Maltese episcopate and clergy, constituting a direct indictment to discredit and even to resist the freely elect ed government of the colony.
 British Blue Book Report
 Cardinal Gasparri replied that the religious situation in Malta was seriously disturbed after the return of Lord Strickland. The Holy Sees declaration that Strick- land was not persona grata was not meant as slight to England. but as q statement in accord with the facts from a religious point of view. The Holy See had no inten- tion Of interfering in the domestic politics of a British colony But it's attitude was taken because Of Strlckland's interference in the purely religious sphere.
 On May last the governor report ed to the British government that evidence had been collected to show that the Bishop of Gozo had told his priests to preach against the Constitutional party and to re- fuse dissolution to it's supporters The British government sent to the Vatican a message saying it was prepared to resume negotia- tions for settlement of Maltese af- fairs, but only after the Holy Se.e had given orders which would all low the voters complete freedom in the exercise of their political judgment
 The Natican's White Book" issued shortly thereafter. contains report by Monsgnor Robinson, scoring Lord Strickland. The Vatican, furthermore. declined to resume negotiations so long as Strickland remained at the head of the Maltese government.
 Lord Passfield, British Secretary for the Colonies. then stated that matters were at a deadlock.
 Under these troubled circun7- stances, the British government called off free elections in Malta. suspended the constitution, and vested all power in Governor Du Cane. who is to have as his advis- CTS the Premier, Lord Strickland. and his former cabinet. until fur ther notice.