The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-06-14
Have Germany and Rome Agreed,

nave OeTInuny Huu hOiut AsictNF
Tho signs OF taclt understanding between
BISMARCK and the Roman Curia have great
ly multiplied within the past six weeks. So
far indeed. tho concessions have seemed to
be chiefly on one side; but the founder OF the
German empire Is too shrewd politician
to repudiatc substantial obligations, though
he may wait for convenient moment and
plausible pretext before executing his part
OF the contract by n sensible relaxation OF
the so-callod FALK laws against the Catho-
lies In other words, the Chancellor Is To
stop the rigorous measures OF interior
enco with ecclesiastical concerns, and the
struggle for culture will be over.
In the age-ong collision OF interests
between the Papacy and the civil power,
the most decisive trumphs have been
won by those pontifIs who have known
how TO combine the resources OF the
statesman with the convictions OF the
priest. The present juncturo is by no
means tho only crisis when the CEN
trail aim in view would certainly DO frus
tratcd by arrogant impracticablc courses,
and almost certainly be compassed by iu
dicious assent to compromise Tho several
concordats which define the relations of the
NulltNl 10 lil' kifNb NuAilbHt oNtlNfNi biN ~
many vouchers Of the advantage gained for
Rome bya spirit Of sobricty and modcra-
ton. Such monuments OF crcumspect and
fnr-roaching policy are prccedcnts much
soundcr and apparently moro grateful to
LEO XIII. than the naughty and irrecon-
cilable posture OF HLDEBRAND or an IN
NocENT. 1t Is true that in the eleventh
century German Kaiser humbled him
self at the feet OF pontin, but times
have greatly changed, and BISMARCK has
repeatedly affirmed that he, at all events,
would never go TO Canossa. On the other
hand, the fourteenth century saw the Papacy
rescued on the verge Of total discredit and
collapse by the consent OF CLEMENT TO reside
beyond the bounds OF Italy. We cannot
doubt which Of the two precedents would
the more commend itself under existing
circumstances 10 ono whose foresight and
discretion have been repeatedly attested.
II BISMARCK will not take the first step
toward the adjustment Of the quarrel; II he
will not go 10 Canossa, then, flguratively
speaking. LEO XIII. will go to Avignon; that
is, he will permit his supporters in the
Reichstag TO make the first concession, and
thus acquaint the Chancellor how much he
has to gain by cordial understanding.
Nothing is better calculated 10 impress
this lesson than the curious incidents which
have marked the present session OF the
Rcichstag. The strange transformation
scene which we have witnessed during the
past few weeks has seemed to mean not so
much reconstruction Of parties, as the OBJ
liberation Of cid party lines, and the crea-
tion OF n new, overwhelming majority de-
| voted to the will of BISMARCK. This state
| OF things is the more surprising when we
remember that the session began with an
| almost unanimous rejection OF the law
which proposed to muzzle parliamentary
debate. The defeat Of the gag bill, however
which was expected TO provoke n dissolution
OF the Chamber, was followed by a flank
movement which splintered the ranks OF the
opposition and converted the mass OF the
Assembly into warm adherents OF tho
| Government. The pretext OF the change
was the new tariff bill, which was
undoubtedly framed with much adroit-
ness, and well adapted to conciiate
conflicting interests. But the efficient
motor the true dynamic cause of the
political reaction was the suddenly re-
verscd attitude Of the clerical party. The
phalanx OF one hundred members, which
| btthlAtS Aht NtnNloi D'hNhNof o4Ah 'h'9
Herr WINDHoRsT's behest with mechanical
promptitude, changed front, and for the
first time since the beginning OF the cultT-
kdmpf rallied to the aid Of the Prime Min
ister. Once assured of their unwavering
support, the Chancellor could look forward
with absolute confidence TO the prompt full
filmcnt OF his prdectionlst programme.
This was only the first installment Of profit
accruing from the altered posture OF the
clerical party. Indications are not wanting
that this is but part of the benefit Bis
MARcK may yet reap from his new alliance.
Already we hear Of revival Of projects
which had heretofore been pressed in vain,
but which manilcstly form important fac
tors in the scheme Of Capitalization. Not
only will tobacco in all IT'D forms be heavily
taxed, but that other staple with which
consumers, it was thought, would least
tolerate interference, namely. beer, is now
threatened with an impost. The absorption
OF all the German railways by the State is
once moro mOoted, and Il long step has been
taken in this direction by submitting the
adjustment of freight tariffs to Government
revision. What is more startling and
significant, it is now proposed to with
draw altogether the control of the army from
the Parliament by transforming the existing
grant of supplies for a term OF years into q
grant in perpetuity. Such are some of the
contralizing measures now openly discussed,
and which, after present indications. there
is reason To believe may be carried cut in
fact under the present agreement between
BISMARCK and tho Papacy. Certainly the
Chancellor would be grossly wanting in that
species Of gratitude which is defined as a
lively sense OF favors to come, ii he failed to
execute his share OF tho compact; and we are
prepared, therefore, to witness at an carly
day signal relaxation Of the laws against
the Catholics.
Samoa.