DIPLOMATIC SCANDAL.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXIX, Issue 8392, 6 April 1907, Page 5

DIPLOMATIC SCANDAL.

LETTER FROM THE PREMIER,

LYING AND CALUMNY. Received April 5, 8.20 a.m. PARIS, April 4. M. Clemenceau, in a vehement letter to The Figaro, declares that M. Piou, who is the most militant member of the Catholic Party, accuses the Papal representative of lying to the Pope by attributing to his dear friend his own calumnies. He says that Monsignor Montagnini had no interest in inventing the whole of the extravagant story. M. Piou's interest in speaking as alleged was evident, because at the time he was leading his forces to battle, and all the Republic's enemies were under the banner of Rome.

FOREIGN RULERS' ESCORTS. Received April 5, 8.27 a.m. ROME, April 4. It is stated in Kome that Italy never interfered with the mode adopted by foreign sovereigns of v siting the Vatican. Italy even allowed the Kaiser to, visit the Vatican escorted by his own guards. (A sensation was caused in Paris by the publication in several newspapers of the contents of documents fc md in a house occupied by Monsigru>r Montagnini, who acted as the !,dmi-official representative of the Pope in iParis after the recall of the Nuncio. Among casual references in the documents to King Edward's visit to the Pope was a statement that his Majesty declined an escort from the Quirinal as not being respectful to the Pope. ■ Monsignor Montagnini .alleged that Sir Francis L. Bertie, British Ambassador at Paris, gave expression to bitter 1 sentiments towards the Kaiser, and disapproved of the separation of Church and State in France. He also declared, on the authority of M. Piou, a member of the Chamber of Deputies, • that M. Clemenceau, Premier, wanted money, and could be bubed : in.t® a more moderate attitude towards the Church, but it must be a large :sum. M. Clemenceau gave a flat,denial of certain conversations alleged to have taken place between himself and Monsjgnor Montagnini, and accuses the latter<of fabricating the stories to further his own ends. M. Piou, also denies .the statement,attributed to him.)