OCR Text |
Show LOUBET WILL NOT VISIT THE VATICAN Breach Between France and tho Pope Rapidly "Widening1, on Account of Pontiff's Utterances. PARIS, March 19. The Pope's caustic criticism of French pollcj" in the course of his address to the cardinals yesterday yester-day is receiving serious attention In the highest quarters here. It has been regarded re-garded ns sufficiently Important to call for an official report, which Is now in the possession of the authorities. It was at flrst thought that the unofficial un-official reports of the Pope's utterances might be over-stated, but the official report confirms the gravity of tho reports. re-ports. They referred to the past and present laws in relation to teaching by religious orders. Tho Pope characterlze-d some of the steps as contrary to liberty and civilization, civili-zation, and ho also criticized the arraignment ar-raignment of three French cardinals before the council of state for writing letters to President Loubet against the proposed extension of the law. The remarks of the Pope give such additional certainty that M. Loubet will not make a call at the Vatican during his coming visit to Rome The plans for the Presidential trip are now prctl-cally prctl-cally made up. They Include a military review In Rome, a naval review at Naples and a number of brilliant lesser functions, but thero Is no mention of the Vatican. This Is being compared with Emperor Em-peror William's conspicuous attentions to the Vatican authorities during his visit to Rome, and his showy call on Pope Leo escorted by cuirassiers on May 2. 1903. A prominent personage Bays President Presi-dent Loubet will go to Rome more like Charlemagne, as a repreeentatlve of authority au-thority Instead of Independence. The visit will also be notable In breaking the long-standing custom that the visits of the ruler of a Catholic country to Rome required a visit to tho Vatican. It is a recognized fact among the diplomats that Emperor Francis Joseph has not returned the visit of the King of Italy because- he wftuld be expected to call at the Vatican. The Kings of Spain and Portugal have refrained from going to Rome for similar reasons. M. Loubet's visit will emphaslzo a departure from this accepted ac-cepted usage. But the tension between France and the Vatican promises to be offset by a strengthening of the bonds ibetween France and Italy, particularly concerning tho Mediterranean interests. The visit will follow the conclusion of the Franco-Italian arbitration treaty, which Is another link In the international interna-tional understanding which France recently re-cently has been establishing. |