26 JANUARY 1918, Page 12

THE VATICAN AND THE WAR.

[To THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR."] SIR,—In your last issue there is a letter from Sir James Ramsay. The writer says: " In both cases the opposition came from the Romish priesthood under orders from the Papacy." Now I challenge the writer to produce these " orders from the Papacy." I demand to know who gave these " orders," when they were given, and to -whom. The accusation is most serious, and we Catholics have a right to know all the circumstances on which such an accusation is founded. The writer says again: " People have been so mealy-mouthed in speaking of the Papacy." Will the writer please produce these " mealy-mouthed" speeches? Catholics are of the opinion that there has been an exhibition of

bullying towards the Papacy.—I am, Sir, &c., E. M.