The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1941-09-23

Pope Plus just war
IT, as report
ed, the president really sent the
reported request to Rome. by
Myron c. Taylor, his personal en-
voy to the Vatican, maybe the
White House doesn't concur in ex-
pressions Of opinion that the Su-
preme Pontiff couldn't very well
comply with 1t, as repeatedly he
didn't. Nevertheless. a lot Of critics
in our capital give it as their judy
ment that. supposing reports of the
request to be correct, F. d. was
asking too much.
The whole things an unadulter-
ated history OF unconhrmed re-
ports. However, they're quite gen.
orally believed.
Washington's National Press
club, in particular. is tremendously
interested in the story. because it
considers itself personally &C.
quainted with the present Vatican
tenant. He visited 1t in his pre-
papal days. when he still was car
dinal, chatted socially with its
members. had lunch with 'em and
made 'em a short speech, He was
an immense hit. Any position he
takes now the club is overwhelm-
ingly prepared to indorse. The
cases abstract merits don't figure
much in the discussion; the Pope.
as an individual one-time guest Of
the club is warmly LIKED.
Good Publicity
Whenever an out-of-town nota-
bility drops into Washington, the
clubs board Of governors invariably
Is desperately anxious to have him
for company. with a speech from
him at the windup. Usually they're
glad to come. The clubs luncheons
are nothing to write home about.
as to palatability, but the average
capital sojourne- considers EN-
good publicity and reports present
on time. Occasionally one Of EN-
is snooty. though, and sends re-
grets. He's unpopular forever aft
erWard.
There was considerable uncer-
tainty relative to Cardinal Pucelli;
the board of governors wasn't IA
miliar with the proper formula for
dispatching invitations to Princes
of the Church. Still, the board took
a chance. And 10 and beholdD His
Eminence not only arrived on the
scene, but Il say it with all due
respecD proved to be regularly
'one of the boys"
When, sooH afterward, he was
elevated TO the papai throne, the
National Press clubs membership,
quite undenominatiohally, fairly
hollered with pride and joy.
So there's prejudice in his IA
vor to begin with.
Nobody suspects him Of pro-
Hitlerism. 1t wouldn't be natural in
him. Adolf has prosecuted his
church. among others-all Of EN-.
He's an anti-Christ cuss essential
ly as well as anti-Jew. and every
thing else Of that sort-except, per-
haps, belief in Odin and Thor and
the Valkyries.
But Joe Stain has prosecuted
miscellaneous religions, too.
And now the democracies are
more or less hooked up with Joe.
can understand why they are;
they want to use Joe to help EN-
against Adolf, whom they consider
the more immediate physical dan
ger to EN- Of the two.
But the Vaticans consideration
is spiritual and, spiritually, the
choice between Adolf and Joe is
approximately a tie. I'm talking as
a layman. and a layman Of no par
ticular UNCONVENTIONAL brand. Yet I
can understand why the Pope, on
the fence between two paganisms,
may feel disinclined to get down on
either side.
Russia-Afterward
To be sure, it's reported that
president Roosevelt, in his reported
message. via Envoy Taylor, to the
Vatican. pledged himself to do his
best 20 influence Russia in favor Of
postwar religious liberty. But who
knows whether or not his influence
will su, ceed?-though I've no
doubt his promise Is mads in all
rood faith.