MUSSOLINI’S GAIN

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 16873, 9 February 1929, Page 5

MUSSOLINI’S GAIN

THE PAPAL SETTLEMENT

LESS DANGER OF RIVALRY

(Australian and N.Z. Press Association.) (Received February 9, 10 a.m.) LONDON, Feb. 8. The settlement of the long-standing quarrel between the Church ami the State in Italy is featured by all the leading London papers. The Morning Post, says it is natural that Signor Mussolini should desire an understanding with the Vatican. Any dictator who takes power by force must seek those sanctions and benedictions which go towards confirming his doubtful title deeds. As long as tiie Roman Catholic Church remained unreconciled, Fascism was conscious of an existing power which might become a rival, and even an enemy. That source of possible weakness is now at an end. The Rope’s gain is not so much power, ns it is reconciliation with Italy.

It is stated that Signor Mussolini will attend the Mass to bo held in St. Peter’s on February .12, and it is confirmed that thereafter the Pope will appear on the balcony' overlooking St. Peter’s Square, where he will bless the great crowd and detachments of Italian armed forces.

SIGNATURE ON MONDAY TWO DISTINCT TREATIES (Australian Press Assn.—United Service.) (Received Feb. 9, 11 a.m.) ROME, Feb. S. The signing of the treaty between the State and the Papacy is fixed for the morning of February 11, instead of Sunday, as the To Dcum will be sung on Sunday to celebrate the anniversary of the Pope’s* coronation. There will be two distinct treaties, one of an international character dealing with the Roman question, and the other establishing a concordat dealing with ecclesiastical and religious legislation in Italy'.