Chapter XXXIX: At the Gates of the Vatican

"Open! Open! It is unhappy Belgium!"

The Pope's neutrality was not popular in France, even before he
refused to pronounce an opinion on the violation of Belgium, as "that
had happened in his predecessor's time." Many people consider that by
this attitude the Vatican lost a priceless opportunity of re-capturing
France. It is significant that this moving cartoon, from _Le Rire
Rouge_, is signed: "A. Willette, Catholique."

XL. "The Pope says...."

By Grandjouan (_Le Rire Rouge_).