VATICAN PACT

Greymouth Evening Star, 12 February 1929, Page 5

VATICAN PACT

SIGNATURE CEREMONY EXCHANGE OF GIFTS (Australian Press Association.) (By Cable—Press Assn.—Copyright.) ROME, February 11. Only ten persons will be present at the 'historic ceremony of the signing of the Treaty to-morrow, there being four delegates from the Vatican, the other two privileged persons being the official photographers. Cardinal Gasparri, the Papal Secretary of State, who is recovering, will first welcome the Government delegates, who will be headed by Signor Mussolini. The eight delegates will then proceed to the Great Hall of Lateran Palace, and will there append their signatures to the Treaty behind locked doors. The official text of the Treaty will not be known until the Holy See announces it in the official organ of the Papacy, the newspaper “Osservatore Romano.” The Concordat will be ratified by the Italian Government in April. It is learned that the new Vatican precincts will be known internationally as the City of the Vatican. The new State will be printed on the international maps, and it will be recognised by the foreign Governments. Cardinals Gasparri, Vanutelli, and Mafri will receive the Order of the Annuziata, while the King of Italy, Signor Mussolini and Signor Rocco will be recipients of high Papal distinctions.

Amid general solemnity, humourists in the city of Rome note that the Jews have prepared foi* the street markets, thousands of flags mingling the Italian national tricolour with the Papal State colours, so that even the Ghetto will have cause for rejoic ing at the settlement between the Papacy and Italy. FRUITS OF PACT. (Times Cables.) LONDON, February 10. The Rome correspondent of the “Times” states: It is rumoured that Signor Mussolini intends to mark the signing of the agreement between the Vatican and the State of Italy by granting an amnesty to his pplitical opponents. Some of the newspapers, referring to the settlement of the Roman question, consider that difficulties may arise. They ask will the Pope allow the Fascist code and penal laws to operate in the Papal territory. On the contrary, they ask, will the Italian Government allow Italian subjects to be penalised thereon for offences which the civil law does not recognise. The papers also raise the question regarding Catholic Boy Scouts, also the Knights of Columbus of America, who have presented playing fields, but the Italian Government has not allowed the Boy Scouts to use them. These grounds are now part of the Papal Territory. Another question asked is whether the Papal State will permit a censorship of newspapers to be\ practised as is done elsewhere in Italy.

RESTRICTIVE CLAUSES. LONDON, February 11. The “Daily News” Rome correspondent says : An important clause in the agrement is one whereby the Pope agrees not to participate in international congresses called to setle political or territorial difficulties, unless the parties request. It also precludes his seeking membership of the League of Nations.

The Pope accepted certain modifications of the agreement. The most important relates to the indemnity which was reduced to over eight million sterling and eleven million in Government bonds, payable immediately. TREATIES SIGNED. (Recd. Feb. 12, 11 a.m.) ROME, February 11. The treaties were signed at noon. Cardinal Gasparri presented a gold pen to Premier Mussolini' as the Pope s souvenir gift. Later, Cardinal Gasparri took the signed documents to the Pope, who was delighted at the completion of the great act. Mussolini similarly presented the documents to the King. Three instruments were signed at the Lateran Palace. Firstly, he political treaty settling and indefinitely eliminating the Roman question. Secondly, a- Concordat regulating the conditions of church and religious worship in Italy, and, thirdly, a convention regulating the financial relations between the Holy See and the Italian Government, which had been outstanding since 1870. The signatories were Signor Mussolini, Prime Ministei' and Plenipotentiary, King Victor, Cardinal Gasparri, Plenipotentiary, and the Sovereign Pontiff.

SCENES IN SQUARE. THE POPE’S STATEMENT. (Received February 12, 11 a.m.) ROME, February 11. A cosmopolitan crowd thronged Lateran Square for the signing of the Vatico —Italian Treaty. Dominican friars in white and crown robes, Augustinians in black and white, barefooted on the icy flagstones, dozens of country priests, with indispensible umbrellas and snuff boxes, many nuns, and hundreds of international students from the propaganda college. Cardinal Gasparri, to guard against the aggravation of chill, came in a thick mantle, with a gold crucifix around his neck. Mussolini wore the conventional silk hat and frock coat. Only two outsiders were present, two representatives of the Vatican and Italian Press Bureaux. Cardinal Gasparri and Mussolini signed in that order. Other Vatican representatives present were Monsignor Borgoncini Duca, the secretary to the Holy Congregation for extraordinary ecclesiastical affairs, Monsignor Pizzardo, substitute secretary of State, and Professor Pacelli, legal adviser to the Holy See. Other representatives of Italy were Signors Rocco, Keeper of the Seals; Grandi, Under Secretary of Foreign Affairs, and Ciunta, Under Secretary of the Council. Their coming and going kept the Caribinieri busy, controlling photographers. The first outstanding incident in the. ceremony at the Lateran was Cardinal Gasparri’s welcome to Mussolini, who kissed the Cardinal’s Episcopal ring, and hoped the event would mean ever-

lasting good relations between the Vatican and Italy. Cardinal Gasparri admitted during the meeting: “I am happy. I have accomplished the most important act in my life. I now can die easy in mind.” Before the dispersal, Cardinal Gasparri bestowed the Papal Benediction on Mussolini, who replied expressing the King’s profound devotion to the Pope. Cardinal Gasparri provided cakes and wine, and then escorted the ( Duce to the gates, where the crowd' gave an ovation to both. Addressing the parish priests, after the ceremony, the Pope said: “Some say my territory is too little, but for good deep reasons, I wished as little as possible.” The documents are not to be published till discussed in Parliament, but a liberal summary is being issued tomorrow. It is expected that Monsignor Pizzardo will become Nuncio to Italy, and ex-Minister Fedale, the latter’s Ambassador to the Vatican. The King is expected to make a State visit to the Pope on April 21, after the Chamber meets.

It is suggested that the Pope is likely to visit Europe and America in 1930. SPANISH CONGRATULATIONS. LONDON, February 11. “{The Times’s” Madrid correspondent states : —Preparations are being made in Spain to celebrate the settlement .of the Roman question. Every Spanish diocese as well as the Spanish Government has sent congratulations to the Italian Government and to the Vatican.