Rising Sun at the Vatican

The Vatican accepted de facto diplomatic relations with Japan last week, despite U.S. and British protests (TIME, March 23). Tokyo broadcast that Ken Harada, former counselor of the Japanese Embassy in Paris, had been appointed Special Minister to the Vatican and that Archbishop Paolo Marella, Apostolic Delegate to Japan since 1937, would have "full diplomatic privileges."

To his fellow Americans Archbishop Francis J. Spellman of New York, onetime (1925-32) member of the Vatican Secretariate of State, explained the Holy See's viewpoint: acceptance of such a mission is entirely justified because 1) the Vatican remains neutral during world conflicts and hence must accept an ambassador from any country that chooses to send one, 2) diplomatic relations enable the Pope to keep in touch with Roman Catholics in every nation, 3) reception by the Vatican of a diplomat does not mean that it approves the actions of the country which sent the diplomat. Many nations have broken off diplomatic relations with the Vatican, but the Vatican seldom breaks off relations with any state.

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