The Waterbury Democrat., 1944-04-11

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clouds Of war. The weight Of his
grief was perceptible to all and by
every means within his power he
attempted to avert the crisis; but
his advice and pleas fell on empty
ears. Many responsible stateman
belonging to the nations which were
to be involved in the approaching
disaster refused to believe up to the
last minute that there would be
war; but three months before the
beginning Of hostilitieS the Pope
quietly told a citizen Of a South
American republic; How fortunate
you are that you will not be here
when war breaks out When the
fatal shots were fired at Sarajevo,
Plus was not surprised, but, realiz-
ing the awful consequences, cried in
anguish, Willingly would I sacri-
flee my life to ward of this terrible
Scourge.'
Twice the Austrian ambassador
in answer to a request that a Papal
blessing be given to the armies of
his countries, was bluntly told, Z
bless peace
Farrow goes on to tell that the
Pope had been so weakened by the
strain Of his anxiety that he was
ordered to bed by his doctors. There
seemed to be nothing to fear, but
within few days he was dead. AL
though the attending physicians
wrote bronchitis on their last bull
letin, his friends knew that 1t was
heartbreak.' This opinion was that
of the entire world as the files of
any large newspaper will confirm.
LETTER TO FRANZ JOSEPH
Msgr, Smith also quota a most
remarkable from a letter written to
the Emperor of Austria by Plus x
on August 10, 1914, seven days be-
fore his death. The letter is one
of the great document Of Papal
history. In part it runs thus:
HE who represents Christ on
earth postrates himself before you.
I kiss your feet and implore you to
abandon this ilnpious war, this
fearful iniquity, this scandal of the
Gospel, this horrible strain on the
breast of our mother, your mother
and nine, Holy Mother Church.
You gave the order for little Serbia
to be destroyed; you have now re-
duced Belgium to ashes. Am I not
the shepheard of these lambs? The
thunderboltS of the Church are
terrible. You know 1t. I will not
strike you down because I have
given my life for you. But if ]
do not excommunicate you it will
be the malediction of heaven that
will fall upon your head.
My dearest son. bless you today,
because I am still your father. To-
morrow will be too late; you will
be accursed."
Franz Joseph was accursed. His
empire has vanished. But this let
ter was never delivered. It was in
tercepted by an Austrian official
who even To-day remains unknown
though the historic existence of the
document is beyond all controversy
GALES OF MEXICO
There was time when every
important newspaper in the world
featured the hatred and persecution
of the Catholic Church by Plutarcho
Gales, former President Of Mexico
But not long ago there was a report
that Gales had asked for the min
istrations of a priest. Last week
another report was made public,
this one an interview in which
Gales, who attempted to drive
every Semblance Of religion out OF
Mexico, withdrew all hiatt he said
and did in his hatred and persecu-
ton of the Church.
His attacks on the Church made
the front pages of all the news
papers in the world, but his re-
pentance was given but little space.
Only an attack on the Church Is
news.
But the Church has outlived all
tyrants. Gales is but one in long
list.