Show TAFT ALLOWED TO ro ACCEPT GIFTS OF OF THE POPE WASHINGTON July Taft has has- acquainted Secretary Root with tho the fact reported In tho the news dispatches from Romeo Rome that the Pope Fope had tendered several Ie pr pretty tty and appropriate gifts sifts to himself and the tho members of ot his party and Dud he has hu asked whether the they can cnn be lawfully ac BC cc ted H Jl was at once that the question ques ques- tion thus presented Involved tJ some very ery delicate and Interesting points principal among then them being a possible decision ex x pressly presly to be be- avoided L at this stage stase of or tho the negotiations If H these w Were r decorations or of ot i I large largo value then undoubtedly they might not be bo received I Id d without authority LU from Congress If Ie the Pope Is regarded regard d as ss s ha haIne hav- hav Inc ing t temporal power powers powers-as na being baing a 0 prince a 11 potentate t or a sovereign s ed i Secretary Root however avoided d an un un un- un- un pleasant decision of or this question b by In in forming Governor Go Taft raft that If Ir th these lIe gifts are ar not of ot considerable Intrinsic value and arid andare era are personal in character they mil may bo be accepted as m mere ro t souvenirs ou in which case the p personality of or the giver l need neel not be bf beIL a IL matter of ot official Inquiry On the tho other hand if It the gifts are arc of ot exceptional value which hb Is S not bett believed ye d to b bc the case they h be he d gc th E may muy deposited In the Smithsonian I in th- th tIt In this city cIt |