FRANCE AND THE VATICAN.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1685, 15 June 1904, Page 31

FRANCE AND THE VATICAN.

THE RECALL OF M. NISAIID.

WILL THE FRENCH EMBASSY BE

ABOLISHEll?

(Per s.s. Sonoma at Auckland.) SAN FRAN CISCO, May 26. Paris, Mav 24.—The Government lias decided to fully present the \ atican controversy, culminating in the recent recall of the French Minister to the Vatican, M. Nisard, to the Chamber of Deputies. A violent debate is expected, and the Government is preparing itself for more radical action than, it has heretofore taken, since it is anticipated efforts will be made to abolish the French Embassy to the Holy See. The foreign Minister, M. Delcasse. will present the diplomatic negotiations with the Vatican and the Premier, M. Combes, will set forth the attitude and intentions of the Government. Officials express the belief that the Embassy will not be suppressed, though they say present feeling may lead to that result when the appropriation for sustaining the Embassy comes before the Chamber a month hence, at which time the Budget for foreign affairs will be considered. Some Parliamentary elements, however, are seeking immediate consideration of the matter, with a view to abolishing the Embassy. Officials here do not credit the report circulated by the “Tribuna,” of Rome. " King Alfonso, of Spain, lias indefinitely postponed his proposed visit to the French President, _M. Loubet, in order to avoid friction with the Pope. The Spanish King’s visit to President Loubet has been decided upon, on principle, but the dates have not yet been considered, though members of the Diplomatic Corps say it is definitely settled. The protest to which France took exception was addressed by the Vatican to Spain. This was the only protest containing a clause intimating the Papal Nuncio would be withdrawn it other and similar visits were made to King Victor Emmanuel. Rome, May 25.—The “Osservatore ■ Romano,” the Vatican organ, publishes an official statement reviewing the relations existing between Cardinal Men y Del Val the Papal Secretary of State, and M. Nisard, the French Ambassador to the Vatican, immediately be.ore the recall of the latter, as the result of the Papal protest against President Loubet’s visit to Rome. On Friday last, according to the paper. M. Nisard visited Cardinal Merry Del 4 al and told him he had been instructed by the Foreign Minister, M. Delcasse, to inquire as. to the authority of the text of the Note to Catholic Powers, as published m “L’Humanite,” of Pans, which varied from that directed to the French Government, find to ask especially if the phrase regarding the recall of the NunSo which was omitted from the Note addressed to France, -really occuned m that sent to the other Powers. The Cardinal said he would reply immediately if the Ambassador’s interrogations were put m writing. M. Nisaid pointed, out there was no timg to do this. The Cardinal then said lie would give an answer within an hour, or even within half an hour. ; M. Nisard, however, insisted on an immediate leply, and pleaded 'that the Cardinal should answer “ Yes ”or “ No.” The latter said In* was sorry he was unable to comply with the Ambassador’s demands. M. Nisard replied: “ Then I Shall telegraph to M. Delcasse that you decline to answer.” , ' . , M Nisard then withdrew, saying he would write two hours later. Cardinal Merry Del Val not receiving word from the Ambassador, sent a communication to the Embassy saying he was at M. Nisard"'s disposal, and was prepared to give an answer, but no reply to this communication was received. On Saturday morning M. Nisard again visited the Secretary of State, arid informed him that the insistence upon a written form of his question had been interpreted as a desire to elude the subject, and that therefore he had been instructed to leave Rome on vacation. The “Osservatore Romano” concludes: “ First, that Cardinal Merry Del Val not having given an answer, the recall of the Ambassador was not justified; second, •hat the answer which the Cardinal w ould have given within an hour would have been exhaustive, and thoroughly satisfactory; and, third, that the request of M. Nisard to he informed as to the contents of the Notes sent to other Catholic States was absolutely contrary to diplomatic usage, and there was, no .rule which. obliged the Papal Government to send a collective Note.”