NEWS BY MAIL

Wanganui Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 160731, 18 August 1920, Page 10

NEWS BY MAIL

PORE SEEKS “CHRISTIAN EECONCILATION." ROME, May 29. To-day’s papal encyclical on' “Chris* tian Reconciliation,” which abolishes the veto on official visits of Catholio sovereigns to the Pope in Rome, is undoubtedly one of the moat -remarkable acts of the Vatican since Pius IX fulminated tiro famous decree itself just half a century ago. In cancelling this particular act of sterile protest against the overthrow of the civil princedom of the papacy, Benedict XV says that “it seems to bo coiled for by the gravity of the moment and the established custom of exchanging visits for consultation between the heads of States and Governments.” But that, so far from relinquishing his protest against the actual abnormal position of the Holy See and its supreme representatives, the Pops expects reconstructed society to facilitate a solution compatible with dignity of the Church. In the recent past this veto prevented the Austrian EShperor Francis Joseph from returning a visit paid him by King Hubert in Vienna,' and in the case of the King of Portugal not only impeded a visit that had been officially announced, but broke off displomatic relations with Italy itself, while later on it marked an historic breach between the Vatican and the French Republic. The Pope further reiterates his wish for universal reduction, if not elimination, »f armaments. He also exhorts the Catholic press to abandon uncharitable propaganda, and to cultivate a less bitter and strifestirring lone. LINERS FOR SOUTHAMPTON AND DOVER ROUTES. WASHINGTON, May 29. The Shipping Board has entered into a conrract with Ihe United States Mail Steamship Company, with the France and Canada Steamship Corporation as unconditional guarantors, for the transfer to it of 13 ex-German ships. It ia provided that the steamship company shall put the steamers into Serviceable condition at its own expense; and the contract runs for five years at 3.50 dollars per ton per month. At the expiration of five years, the steamship company is to have the first chance to buy at prices and terms to be fixed by the Board. “A SURPRISING THING”: MR THEODORE’S EXPECTATIONS. • LONDON, July 23. 'The city editor of the Times states that it is a surprising thing that Mr Theodore expected investors, with the breaking of a solemn contract fresh in their minds, to even desire to risk another contract with his Government.