The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-08-01
THE FRENCH in ROME.


Prcposed Evacuation of the Eternal City-rhe
PrHnco-Prussian War knocks the Props from
Under the Pope-The French Occupation
When IL Commence d-The NapoIeonic Dynasty
and the Church of ROme-The Gloomy
Prospects of Pope Plus IN.
The early evacuation of Rome by the French
troops has been anticipated as one of the conse-
quences of the war between France and Prussia,
and the rumors that have reached US by the
cable render it probable that the Pope will be
abandoned by his protectors within a few days.
On Friday last NJ. Olivier had an interview
with the leading editors of Paris for the purpose
of explaining the position of the French Gov
crnment with regard to the secret treaty pro-
posed to Prussia in 1866 and he took occasion
also to allude to Rome and definitely indicated
the intention of the French Government to
withdraw its troops, by saying that lit has
seemed equitable and useful to the French Gov
ernment to evacuate Rome-equtable, because
Italy has kept her promises useful because
keeping our. promises unites us more closely to
Italy and Austria" 1t is impossible to tell
what the ultimate consequences of this move
ment will be, or what will be the fate of the
Pope, who in all probability will be compelled
10 abandon both Rome and Italy.
The French occupation of Rome forms Curl
Gus chapter in modern history, and it is o
curious Illustration of certain line of policy
Snaugurated by the first Napoleon and carried
out fully by his nephew. In 1897 Rome was
captured by the armies of the French Republic,
who sent the Pope to France and proclaimed
Roman republic. This was suppressed in 1899,
and the Pope returned. In 1908, however, Ma
poleon took possession of the city with his
troops, and in the year following he annexed it
TO his empire. This may be considered as the
0f &c
Rome, which ended with the fall of the first
Napoleon, but which was revived as soon as his
nephew came into power. All religion had
been abolished under the republic, and
Napoleon, with the far-sightedness of a
great statesman, knew that its re-establishment
would aid him in consolidating his power more
than any other influence he could bring to bear.
The revival of religion meant the restoration of
law and order, and If he could absolutely con-
troll the Church he felt that the stability Of
his empire would be secured beyond any ordi-
nary contingencies. Unfortunately for Napoleon
the Pope could neither be bullied nor persuaded
TO countenance many of his schemes ald he
therefore failed to secure him as a cordial ally
ready at all times to WELD the thunders of the
Vatican for the purpose of terrifying the enemies
of France. Plus VII was in reality held as a
prisoner in France from 1909 until the abdication
of the Emperor ia 1914, when he returned to
Rome. From that time until the revolutionary
movements of 164S nothing of moment occurred
to disturb the temporal power of the successors
of St. Peter.
On the accession of Pope Plus * in 1886
great hopes were entertained that he would
make decided effort to reform the gigantic
abuses of the Papal Government The new Pope
was believed to be inspired by liberal senti-
ments, and he was one of the most popular men
In Italy. The news of his election to the papal
chair created the greatest enthusiasm through
out the whole Italian peninsula. The breaking
out of the French revolution in 1913 gave a
powerful impulse to the enthusiasm, not only OF
the Italian patriots but of the friends of liberal
institutions throughout Europe, awakening a
demand not for mere administrative reforms, but
Tor more popular systems of representative
government. These sweeping changes the
Pope was not prepared to support,
and from that moment his po-
pularity began to decline. A policy of reaction
commenced which only widened the breach be-
tween the Papal Government and the people
and gave new impetus to the agitation fol
organic changes. The popular disaffection was
greatly increased on the Pope taking for his
Minister Count Rossi, one of the most aristo
cratic and unpopular men in Rome; and it wa:
scarcely possible to restrain the fury of the
people. Count Rossi was assassinated on the
18th of November 1S4S, and the Pope was
Obliged to fee from Rome in disguise to Gaeta
in the Neapolitan territory, whittier he wa.
followed by the members of his court and the
diplomatic corps On the 9th of November tn,
Pope sent TO Rome an ordinance declaring yoiC
all the acts of the Roman Chambers, which ht
superseded by State commission. This docu
ment was treated with contempt by the Cham
bers, who proceeded to appoint a ProVsiona
Government. On the 18th of February, 1919
the Pope called upon the Catholic powers FOL
armed assistance, and on the same day the
Romsa Constituent Assembly declared repub
he and deposed the Pope from HE temporal
authority.