PILGRIMS AT ROME

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1507, 17 January 1901, Page 31

PILGRIMS AT ROME

ROME, January 9. The Italians are indignant at the Duke of Norfolk, who is heading the pilgrimage of the British Roman Catholics to Rome, reacting to the Pope an address ardently expressing a hope for the restoration of his temporal independence, and attacking the Protestant missions in Rome. The Pope re-echoed the _ sentiments contained in the address in stronger terms. LONDON, January 10. The Rome newspapers t are inflamed. They consider’ the Duke of Norfolk has been abusing hospitality, and has incited the Italian Catholics to disloyalty. They are confident the British press will disavow his action. The English newspapers, in replying, show that Great Britain for a century has been the supporter of Italian unity. “The Times’’ censures the Duke of ■ Norfolk’s tactless violation of diplomatic etiquette in inviting Lord Currie, the ; British Ambassador, to a reception where the healths of the Queen and the Pope were drunk, the King of Italy’s being ostentatiously omitted. The recent action of the-Duke of Norfolk in going to> South Africa is interpreted as a British Catholic reply to thfc malevolent abuse of the Continental clericals tc? Wards Englailtf. Unfortunately lie prejudices a praiseworthy patriotic action by the most odious religions intolerance and grcss tactlessness towards a friendly dynasty and nation. ROME, January 13. Lord Currie, the British Ambassador at Rome, has satisfactorily explained his presence at the recent reception presided over by the Duke of Norfolk. His Lordship explained to the Marquis Visconti Venosta, Italian Minister for Foreign Affairs, that the Duke’s remarks on the occasion referred to were of a purely personal nature, and were unsupported by the Government and the people of England. The Foreign Minister expressed himself * satisfied with the explanation.