Garbled Reports Of Polish Dispute

No Sensations
King Carol's Visit NOT Cause Of Archbishop's Action
From Our Central European Correspondent A FIRST-CLASS SENSATION HAS OCCURRED THROUGHOUT POLAND AS A RESULT OF THE ARCHBISHOP OF CRACOW'S SUDDEN DECISION TO TRANSFER THE REMAINS OF POLAND'S NATIONAL HERO, MARSHAL PILSUDSKI, TO ANOTHER PART OF CRACOW CATHEDRAL. • This incident, seemingly minor at first sight, has resulted in a raging press campaign, nation-wide protests by all sections of Polish life, attacks on a Warsaw Catholic paper and an offer of resignation (which was refused) by the Premier, General Skladkowski, to President Moscicki!
The British Press has exploited the colourful story to the utmost, and made sensational headlines of " Carol v. Archbishop," the Archbishop's action being attributed directly to King Carol of Rumania's visit to pay his respect to the mortal remains of Poland's great leader. King Carol is, of course, head of the Rumanian Orthodox 'Church and a schismatic. Moreover, his private life has been suggested as a reason for the Archbishop's action.
But, contrary to the reports in the British Press, there is no confirmation of this and in the light of other events it would appear to be a very minor factor, if indeed a factor at all.
An interesting sidelight is also provided by the fact that Cardinal Kakowski, Archbishop Gall and Bishop Gawlina are all on the official reception committee organised to welcome King Carol to Poland.
STORY OF PILSUDSKI'S GRAVE
When Marshal Pilsudski died in 1936, it was the unanimous desire of the nation that he should be buried in the Wawel, Cracow's historic cathedral where all Poland's kings and heroes are interred. The coffin was temporarily laid to rest in St. Leonard's crypt and a National Committee was at once formed to arrange for and superintend the eventual transfer of the coffin to a final last resting-place in the Wiezna Srebrnych Dzwonow or Tower of the Silver Bells, another part of the Cathedral.
Archbishop's Explanation
Mgr. Sapieha, the Prince-Archbishop, has issued a statement defending his action. He states that he had previously requested the National Cot MItlee to carry out the transfer, but to no purpose, despite a lengthy correspondence and a' resolution agreeing to this. The transfer, Mgr. Sapieha said, has been effected with all due reverence and in the presence of the Cathedral Chapter and a delegate from the National Committee.
The transfer was, moreover, necessitated by the dampness of St. Leonard's crypt and the Tower of the Silver Bells, which, contrary to reports in the British Press. has been consecrated, was ready to receive the coffin.
He had informed the President of the projected transfer and, Mgr. Sapieha added, the stream of secular visitors and tourists to the tomb in St. Leonard's crypt. including many non-Catholics, had not proved conducive to the atmosphere of reverence required in a church.
National Committee's Retorts The National Committee has, however, issued a sharp rejoinder to Mgr. Sapieha's statement. The Committee denies that any resolution agreeing to the transfer was passed or that there had been a lengthy correspondence. Two letters were received by the Committee from the Archbishop, declaring his intention to carry out the transfer, dated June 17 and 20. A protest was sent to him by the Committee between these dates.
It is emphatically denied that the Tower was ready for the transfer or had ever been stated to be such. The Cornmittee also declared that the crypt was not damp, being under careful supervision, and that no delegate of the Committee was present at the transfer, Dr.
Kaliczynski not being a delegate. Dr. Kaliczynski confirmed this in a separate statement and added that the transfer had been effected against his advice, despite his presence.
To Nationalise the Cathedral?
It is known that President Moscicki officially requested the Archbishop not to carry out his intention. Colonel Koc, leader of the National Unity Party, the Premier and Marshal Rydz-Smigly have all protested against Mgr. Sapicha's action and the Senate has been summoned to discuss a resolution to nationalise the Wawel. Large-scale ex-Servicemen's demonstrations have occurred in Warsaw and elsewhere, meetings have been held demanding a revision of the Concordat, and the Archbishop's palace has been stoned and the windows broken, the depth of feeling aroused being comprehensible only to those who know Poland and the deep devotion throughout the nation to the old leader.
Catholic Sympathies On the other hand, last Sunday many representative Catholic groups expressed their sympathy for the Archbishop, who is very ill, and condemned the campaign against him. Prayers were offered up in all churches for his restoration to health.
The gravity of the incident is shown by the fact that the Papal Nuncio, Mgr. Cortesi, was at once called into consultation by the Government. The Polish Chargd d'Affaires at the Vatican also raised the question forthwith.
Mgr. Cortesi is receiving King Carol at
Cracow and accompanies him to the Cathedral for the visit to the hero's tomb.
The whole matter now rests with the Vatican, where it is known that an amicable solution is greatly desired.
Mgr. Sapieha's Career Mgr. Sapieha belongs to a famous aristocratic family and was born in 1867 near Przemysl in Galicia. He was ordained in 1893 and became Prince-Bishop of Cracow
in 1911. In 1925 Cracow became an Archbishopric. He is also a prince in his own right. He was well known during the Great War for his untiring work on behalf of the Polish victims of the war and issued a world-wide appeal to all Catholics in 1915 on behalf of Polish Catholics. He celebrated his silver jubilee as Bishop of Cracow last year amid great popular rejoicing and in the presence of many officials of the State and city.