THE POPE'S INTERVIEW

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2501, 30 June 1915, Page 7

THE POPE'S INTERVIEW

HIS HOLINESS URGED TO DENY IT. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Rec. June' 29, 8.30 p.m.) Rome, June 29. The newspaper "II Secolo" states that Cardinals Amette (Paris), Mercier (Brussels), and Bourne (AVestlninster) have written to the Pope describing the difficult position they find themselves owing to the effect on public opinion of the interview which appeared in "La Liberte." They asked to be allowed to deny the interview, and received a reply that an explanation was given in the "Osservatore Romano."

The interview and the. explanation, as cabled last week, are appended:— "La Jjiborte" said that His Holiness declared that the criticisms of tho Holy See's silencc upon the crimes which were revolting the conscience of • the civilised world were not justified. It was neither seemly nor useful to involve the Pontifical authority in disputes with the belligerents. "The Germans," he said, "reply to every accusation, and it would be impossible to initiate all inquiry at the present time. You will be astonished to hear that Cardinal Mercier was never arrested. Ho has been able to move freely about his diocese. I have received a letter from General von Bissing, saying that he will repress with the greatest energy any acts of violence against churches and ministers of God. But it is necessary to condemn the destruction of Louvain and the cathedrals. The sinking of the, Lusitania was a horrible crime, but a blockade which ■was strangling, two Empires, and condemning millions of innocent people to starvation, was not inspired by very humane principles. After the-war, I may proclaim a syllabus, summarising the doctrines of the Church upon this subject, and regulating the rights and the duties of belligerents. This will doubtloss contain a formal condemnation of the crimes." The Pope admitted that lie, as a neutralist, wished to spare Italy the sufferings of war, and the war, moreover, endangered the inr torest of the Holy See in its intercourse with the nations which were warring against Italv. The Italian Government had offered him the privilege or a secret code to the representatives of the Powers accredited to the Vatican, but under the control and responsibility of the Holy See. That would be too dangerous, and he had declined the responsibility. "We trust the present Government, but tremble to see ourselves exposed to uncertainty of public life i| Italy." The Pope concluded: "I shall watch for an opportunity to initiate peace, and throw myself upon the first hand which may be stretched out." The "Osservatore Romano's" ' explanatory statement was that the "Liberte's" interview with the Pope was full of inaccuracies, and pointed out that the, opinions of the Holy See must be judged by public official documents, and not by private publications which might contain various inexactitudes. The Italian public regarded this_ explanation aS unsatisfactory, especially as tho inexactitudes were not specified, and were astonished that the Pope had allowed the interview after the difficulties which arose over tho alleged interview with Mr. Wiegand, the American journalist.