THE POPE'S VIEWS

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 148, 24 June 1915, Page 7

THE POPE'S VIEWS

CRIMES IN WAR CONDEMNED. ALLIES' BLOCKADE INCLUDED. PARIS, 23rd June. The paper Liberte publishes an interview with the Pope. | His Holiness declared that the criticisms of the Holy See's silence upon the crimes which were revolting the conscience of the civilised world, were unjustified. It would be neither seemly nor useful lo involve the Pontifical authority in the disputes of the belligerents. ' 'ihe Pope declared: — "The Germans' reply to every accusation is that it is impossible to initiate any enquiry at the present time ; but it is necessary to condemn not only tho destruction of Louvain and the cathedrals, and the sinking of the Lusitania as a horrible crime, but also a blockade which is strangling two Empires . and condemning millions of innocent people to starvation, and which is nob inspired by veij humaiio principles. " After the war, [ may proclaim a syllabus summarising the doctrines of the, church, upon the subject, and regulating tho tights uud duties of licl- '

ligerenls. This will doubtless contain a formal condemnation of crimes." The Pope admitted that he was a neutralist, as he wished to spare Italy the sufferings of war, and the war endangered the interest of the Holy See, and his intercourse with the nations wairing with Italy had been really suppressed. The Government offered him the privilege of a secret code to the representatives of the Powers accredited to the Vatican, but under the control and responsibility of the Holy See. That was too dangerous and he declined the responsibility. "We trust the present Government, but tremble to see ourselves exposed lo the uncertainty of the public life of Italy." The Pope concluded : " I shall watch for an opportunity to initiate peace, with a desire to tlvrow myself upon the first hand that is outstretched."