AN INTERVIEW WITH THE POPE

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2496, 24 June 1915, Page 5

AN INTERVIEW WITH THE POPE

REPLY TO ■ VATICAN POLICY CRITICS (Reo. June 23, 10.5 p.m.) Parte, June 23. - _ The newspaper "La Liberie" lias published an interview with tlio Pope. It 'states i that His Holiness declared that the criticisms of the Holy See's silonce «pon the crimes which were revolting the conscience of the civilised world were not justified. It was neither seemly nor_ useful to involve the Pontifical authority in disputes with the belligerents. ''The Germans," he said, "reply to every accusation, and it would ho impossible to initiate an inquiry at the present time. "But it is necessary to condemn tho 'destruction of Louvain and the cathedrals. The sinking of tho Lusitania was a horrible crime, but a blockade which was strangling two Empires, and con'demninp millions of innocent people to starvation was not inspired by very humane principles. "After the war, I may proclaim a syllabus, summarising tho doctrines of the Ohnrch upon this subject, and regulating the rights and the duties of belligerents. This will doubtless contain a formal condemnation of the crimes." The Pope admitted that he, as a neutralist, wished to spare Italy the sufferings of war, and the war, moreover, en'daugered the interest of the Holy See in its intercourse with the nations which were warring against Italy. The Italian' Government had offered him the privilege of a secret code to the representatives of the Powers accredited to the Vatican, but under the control and responsibility of thu Holy See. That would be too dangerous, arid he had declined the responsibility. "We trust the present Government, but tremblo to See ourselves exposed to uncertaintv of public life m My." The Pope coneluded: I shall watch for all opportunity to -nit-late peace, and throw myself upon tho first hand winch may be ptretched out."