ROMAN SETTLEMENT

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 124, 19 February 1929, Page 11

ROMAN SETTLEMENT

BRITISH PRESS COMMENTS WARM. APPRECIATION' IN ITALY (“Times” Cables.) London, February 17. The correspondent of “The Times” at Rome says that the cordiality of the British comments on the Roman settle-' ment are warmly appreciated in Italy, partly because it seems somewhat unexpected. The newspapers publish long extracts from London of a friendly nature, but one criticism which was also cabled is strongly resented, because it suggests that the recognition of the Pope as a temporal ruler confronts Roman Catholics with conflicting sovereignties. It is replied here that the only effect of the settlement has been to restore the position existing in 1870. Prior to this such a conflict of sovereignty was not feared, and not even admitted. One newspaper calls the objection a “manifestation of Protestant malignity,” and also refers to “foggy Anglican, mentality.” The same newspaper surprisingly construes British Protestant criticism as directed not merely against the Church, but also against Italy’s Latin civilisation. Its attitude is interpreted in some quarters as justifying the theory that Fascism and Catholicism henceforth will make common cause against foreign criticism. VATICAN TERRITORY ENLISTMENTS IN SWISS GUARDS. (Australian Press Association.! Rome, February 17. Alterations are already proceeding in the Vatican territory. The plans have been drawn up for the new railway station, and the Italian people are making an offering of a special de luxe Papal train, exactly similar to ; the King’s, except for an extra carriage containing a chapel adorned with a picture of the Madonna by Raphael, a gift from the King. At Geneva the problem has arisen of enlistments in the Pope’s Swiss Guards. Ordinarily Swiss permission was readily obtainable, but now that the Vatican is a sovereign territory it is argued that enlistments will violate Swiss neutrality. The Federal Council is- considering the matter. POPE AND LEAGUE OF NATIONS WILL NOT SEEK MEMBERSHIP. (Australian Press Association.) - ’ Paris, February 17. Father De La Briere, Professor of the Catholic Institute, who is in. close touch with League of Nations questions, declares that the Pope will not seek to enter the League as he claims Spiritual headship, and will not accept equality with other Powers at Geneva, but he'would be willing and eager to co-operate on suitable questions when his advice and influence were diplomatically invited. Geneva diplomatists here now share the above view and point out that the Vatican is already well represented, the vast majority of members being Roman Catholic States