The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-03-13

against Germany tho liberty OF action That
Italy allows him has the appearance of pref
ace to the more positive declaration to come
by and by, that Italy must give some guaran-
tee that the Papal liberty shall not be so
abused any longer or it must suppress that
liberty. 1t is logical enough that Germany
should deal with the Pope vigorously on the
principles of international law, and allege
that he has himself. forfeited all right to any
observance of the exceptional position he
holds in virtue of his sacred character as the
head Of the Church. And if Germany declared
outright that Italy must suppress the Pope,
what then? Italy would have to do it, and,
for aught that appears to the contrary, might
be glad of the prete1t
From the fact that the possible usefulne"
of Italy to Germany has not yet reached It's
limit it is safe to believe that the alliance of
these two Powers is still vital and that Ger
many is ready to give any reasonable evidence
of her grateful appreciation of the substantial
favors she has received from her not over Wig
orous ally. It is not forgotten at Berlin thatin
1866, when Prussia had not yet won her pres
ent wering position, it was Italy that detained
at Custozza that part of the Austrian army
which, if it had been at Sadowa, might have
been of uncomfortable value to the Empire that
went down. Neither is it overlooked that if
Italy had taken step toward France in 1870
she would have put not only her own, but, in
all likelihood, an Austrian army also in the
balance against Prussia. Lively remembrance
of favors received and, if possible, repetitions
to come, WILL therefore, assure to Italy the
highest consideration of which German states
men are capable, and consequently the rela-
tons of the Pope as they might appear in the
strict construction Of international law
will not be unduly pressed, unless it
is quite agreeable to Italy that pressure of
this sort should be made. If Italian states
men find that it relieves them Of any respon-
sibility before parties at home to have GER
tain line of policy with regard to the Pontiff
forced upon them by pressure from foreign
government, Prussia is, Of course, ready
to render so small service. These relations
of the two Powers will be found perhaps to
be of greater consequence in regard to the
choice of q new Pope and in the dictation of
his policy than they are likely to be with re-
gard to Plus X, for whom there is very
considerable support in the public opinion of
Europe in virtue of his age, his long reign and
his personal character. Public opinion will
regard new pontiff-no matter who he may
be-with far different sentiments
The existence of the Republic in France
will also change very greatly the position of
the Pope as potentate. Indeed, it may re-
suit from this fact that he will be left without
q friend, nationally speaking, in Europe; and
it may be more than coincidence that the
step toward the development OF his helpless
ness, internationally, comes pat at the moment
when the party in France that might have
sustained him is itself defnitively
overthrown With the monarchy established
in France it would have formed a rallying
point for all the elements in any degree
likely to support the Papal authority, and it
would itself have supported that authority
just in proportion as it was near to or far
from the monarchy of divine right-that is
in the conception of the visionary pretender
to ''the throne of Henry w. But with the
rejection of the monarchy there is no chance
for the Pope in France; Spain cannot lift
hand in his favor, and the Catholic party in
Italy can only look on hopelessly if Germany
Should require the extinction Of the semblance
of authority that gllmmers at the Vatican.
Whether this will provoke widespread dis
content and revolt Of the Catholic popula-
tions-the fourteen millions of North Germany,
the twenty-three millions of Austria, the
thirty-fve millions in France and the twenty
six millions in Italy-and prevent savage
return of the religious wars, may be neat
problem for that mystic politician who pre-
dicted Just before he became Prime Minister
of England the early coming of great
struggle.