The New York herald., 1870-04-27
The Pope and tho Cxnr.

The Pope and tho Cxar.
The antagonism or the alliance Of two sove-
reigns, one of whom has actual autocratic con-
troll over the lives and fortunes of more than
sixty millions of the human race, and the other
claiming the spiritual allegiance and the
brotherhood in Christ of hundred millions Of
brethren-"CenD millions di frate|"-is a
matter of undeniable Importance, politically
and socially, to mankind. 1t is, therefore, not
with Indifference that the craftsmanship of
Europe and America can learn that the Gear
Alexander has very recently manifested
decided longing to renew his diplomatic rela-
tions with the government Of Plus TX. A
Berlin paper positively asserts that no less
discreet and skilful parsonage than the
Baron Wasileff has, for few weeks past, been
active near the Holy Chair, having been
specially despatched to Rome by the Cabinet Of
st. Petersburg to bring about, if possible,
rapproclsement between it and the Papal Min
istry. certain Monsignore Czacki, Polish
ecclesiastic of celebrity and great influence at
Rome, is working to effect this object and to
prepossess Cardinal Antonelli in favor of the
new Russian policy in Poland; and pious
and accomplished lady of Polish birth, the
Marchioness de la Barra Bohemian, who was
conspicuous in aiding the conversion of the
Marquis of Butte to the Catholic faith, is
applying all her eloquence and zsal to the
furtherance of these Muscovite advances.
The Importance of this movement on the
tof ol1k kbn Pnc1 al
be over-estimated when we consider the exist
ing situation. All lrope is in the very throes
of reconstruction, and there the chiefly rival
elements are France and Germany. All Asia
is shaking with the onward tread of the Gear,
whose policy is felt in the very heart of the
Chinese empire; has just annexed an island
six hundred miles in length from Japan. and
pervades the Ottoman empire, secretly and
openly, from the banks of the Danube to the
head of the Persian Gulf Already Constan-
tinople has become almost suburb Of st.
Petersburg. Meanwhile, on the westward
side, facing towards Europe, Russia diligently
hastens the provisioning and reinforcement
of her strongholds, and avails herself of all
the latest and best discoveries Of modern
science. The eleven-inch steel guns that now
stud the walls of her maritime fortresses are
perfect. Their projectiles at long range will
penetrate the thickest steel plating hitherto
| invented for vessels of war, and Russia is now
| so far independent Of foreign aid that her
| foundries can furnish eight hundred splendid
guns, of heavy calibre, per annum. The
Grand Duke Michael has just reported that the
whole field artillery of the empire has been
equipped with steel riled breech-loadlng
pieces, and that the sharpshooter battalions
have been supplied with the finest
and lightest repeating weapons in ex-
! istence. The whole body of infantry
has been armed with patent rifles, and
the factories are working night and day
on the best known model of repeating arms
for the cavalry also, along with metallic car
! tridyes Ct Q novel and peculiar efficiency.
Who will say that these imposing preparations
are for idle show? Russia is q practical
Power, and when she moves it is with def
mite object. The mountain capped by the
rock of St. Peter would not come to the
Mohammed of the Don, the Dnieper and the
Volga; that Mohammed, then, must go to the
mountain. ''The whiskered Pandours and
the fierce hussars" of the Danube and the
Ukraine are, metaphorically, on the march
again. Are their pennons turned toward that
glittering point in the eastward distance where
the Roman and the Greek cross-the emblems
of common Christianity at least--surmount
the heights of Mount Zion? And while the
empire Of Charlemagne arises again from its
slumber of ages summoned thence by the
genius of Germanys great statesman. are we,
in our day of wonders, to behold reunion Of
creeds, reconciliation of long-severed breth-
rem and q sublime triumph of light and pro-
gress where the crescent shall have set for
ever behind the Holy Sepuchre? Was it
with true prescience of this great time,
rather than with mere foreshadowng of his
own, that Constantine saw the sacred emblem
in the sky and read the prophecy of victory
IN hoe stgno oinces?
INFORMATION WANrED-Of General Banks,