ITALY

Taranaki Daily News, 24 June 1915, Page 5

ITALY

INTERVIEW WITH THE POPE. PROTEST AT THE BLOCKADES. WAITING TO INITIATE PEACE. Received Juno 23. 10.5 p.m. Paris, June 23, Tilt; Liberte publishes an interview with the Pope, who declared that the criticisms of the Holy See'S silence upon crimes which were revolting to tho conscience of the civilised world, were unjustified. It was neither- seemly nor useful to involve l'ontifieial authority in disputes between belligerents. The Germans' reply to every accusation made it impossible to initiate an inquiry at the present time, but it was necessary to condemn the destruction of Louvam and other cathedrals. The sinking of the Lusitania, was a horrible crime, but the blockade, strangling two Empires and so condemning millions of innocent? to starvation, was not inspired by very humane principles. "After the war I may proclaim a syllabus summarising the doctrines of the Church upon the subject and regulating the rights and duties of belligerents," added the Pope. "This will doubtless contain a formal condemnation of tho crimes admitted." He, as a neutralist, wished to spare Italy the sufferings of war, and war endangered the Holy Sec. Intercourse with nations at war with Ilaly . was really supresscd. The Government offered him the privilege of a secret code to representatives of the Powers accredited by the Vatican, but under the control and responsibility of the Holy See. That was too dangerous, and he declined the responsibility. ''We frusf the present Government, but we tremble to see ourselves exposed to uncertainty in the public life of Italy," lie concluded. "I shall watch for an opportunity', to initiate peace with a sort of festeil, ami will throw myself upon the first hand stretched out."' AUSTRIAN ATTACKS SHATTERED. Rome, June 23, A communique -tales: The operations, begun <m Monday at .Monte Nero Were successfully concluded yesterday. Repeated AiNtilan attacks mi our new positions on the left l.anl; of the Uonzo were all shattered.