The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1883-02-04
Leo XIII. and Germany.

The letter addressed to the Pope by En-
peror WILLIAM and the answer returned to
it by LEO XIII. indicate that there is at last
some prospect OF q close and lasting agree
ment between Prussia and the Vatican. APP
parently Prince BISMARCK has made up his
mind that in the existing state Of political
parties fusion Of Ultramontanes with Con-
servatives has become On indispensable con-
dition of government; that the interests OF
the empire, as regards both domestic legis-
lation and foreign policy, impose on him the
duty Of making more extensive concessions
than have heretofore been proffered.
The Kaiser's letter, countersigned as 1t
was by BISMARCK, was no mere expression
Of personal good will on the part Of the SOW
ereign, but an official document OF large sig
niflcance. intended to place the negotiations
between the Prussian Government and the
Papacy, which have for some time Ian
guished, on an entirely new footing. The
utmost to which BISMARCK would hitherto
assent was o remuneration Of the CuAurkampf
In fact, but not in law. He would not agree
to strike the FALK legislation from the stat
ute book, but he caused tho Prussian
Parliament to pass an act giving
the Ministry some discretionary pow
ers In respect to the execution OF the
obnoxious regulations. With reference to
this compromise, which entirely failed to
propitiate the Ultramontanes, the Crown
Prince was said to have declared that the
honor OF the throne was involved In uphold
ing the theoretical proprlety Of its deliberate
enactments, and that no Government could
preserve o semblance Of dignity and self
respect II it consented to unmake Its laws at
the bidding Of q foreign potentate. In other
words, BISMARCK could bring himself to
drink the cup OF humiliation II It's bitterness
could be disguised; he would make the jour-
ney to Canossa II 1t could be performed In
cognito; but as for holding the Pope's stirrup
and placing the Pontifrs foot upon his neck,
that was more than could be brooked by the
pride OF the HoHENzoLLERNs and Of their
superb Prime Minister.
Yet just this is what Emperor WILLIAM
has virtually stopped to do In his letter to
the prisoner Of the Vatican, who, despoiled
as he Is Of almost all temporal possessions,
is still, by virtue Of his spiritual influence
and the hierarchical organization of Catholi-
cism, one Of the great powers Of the earth.
Beginning with mild rcproach that the
overture made in sending a Prussan Min
lister to the Papal court should not have been
received in the expected spirit Of cordinlity,
the Kaiser goes on to protest that his request
for notice Of appointments to ecclesiastical
functions had been made quite as much In the
interest Of the Roman Church as in that OF the
State. Ho proceeds to hint, however, that
differences OF opinion on this and many
another point might doubtless DO adjusted II
the Papacy would adopt more placable atti-
tude. The Kaiser concludes with distinct
assurance that In return for certain conccs.
sions on tho part Of tho Vatican he would
agree to obtain from the Prussian Parliament
no longer mere discretionary powers In the
application Of the May laws, but the actual
revision OF those statutes. By revision is
meant. OF course, repeal. for BISMARCK per.
fcctly understands that nothing but com.
pletc expunging Of some Of the BALK pro.
visions would satisfy the demands OF Rome
To this remarkable demonstration on the
part Of the most powerful civil Government
In Europe toward o spiritual ruler who can
not traverse the streets Of his own city with
out insult, LEO XIII. has returned, it seems
very oonciliatory answer. In consideration
Of a thorough transformation Of the FALL
laws, he has expressed q willingness. 1t Ii
said, to enter into an arrangement by which
measures should be taken to secure in an In
formal way the assent of the Prussian Gov
eminent to ecclesiastical appointments
That by this step the reigning Pontif
has given fresh proof Of moderation ant
sagecity will be apparent when We reflec
that the concession named is probably tn
minimum which would be accepted by tn
Prussian ChambeEs. Those who Eemsmbe