New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-08-02
HrNG1RYS RTLTCR KAMPF.

Hungary, WhlCn presents inc StIdllr'>l 'oIl-
trast in Europe of ancient fcudllism combined
with the most advanced forms of democracy. IS
on the eve of a conflict that bids fair definitely
10 modify the conditions which have until now
prevailed Having successfully disposed OF
tho Army bill and of the veNatiouS kosSUth
question. the Government has now announced
its intention Of enforcing the law Of 1868 with
regard to the baptism of infants. Fourteen
wears previously Austria had concluded treaty
with the Vatican. according 70 the terms OF
which mixed marriages were only 10 be per-
mittcd and considered rs legal in the event OF
the non-CAthohc party to the union under
taking that all children born Of the marriage
should be chriStenel as Catholics and brought
mn as such. In 1865, however, when Hungary
vas transformed into an independent conStl-
tl'iona Government. the concordat was
brought n a close. and in lS6S the Magyar
Parliament enacted a law according 10 which.
in the case OF a mixed marriage. the boys were
70 belong 10 their fathers creed and the girls
to that of their mother until the attainment OF
their majority. Moreover il was dccrced that
in case there was no Protestant pastor in the
parish tho infant might receive Christian, but
not Catholic baptism from the priest, whose
duty il would then become 10 inform the pastor
of the nearest Protestant Church, for the pur-
po,e Of having the namc OF the child entered
upon the books Of the latter.
Although the measure in question became
law twenty-five years ago. no attempt had
been made until recently 10 enforce il. since
the termination. however, Of the conflict on the
subject of the Rossuth citizenship, tho atten-
ton OF the Government has been drawn 10y the
Radical and Republican members Of the Diet
10 the entire failure on the part of the Catholic
clergy t. comply with the terms OF the law OF
1865. and 10 the manner in which they con-
tinued to enforce the provisions of the obsolete
concordat While the Table of MagnatcS, or
unpcr house Of tho Hungarian Parliament, Is
strongly imbucd with doctrines of blind ohcdi-
cncc to the Church, tho lower Chamber is com
posed Of far more liberal and progressive ele-
ncnts The latter at once decided by an al
most unanimous vote that the laws which 1t
had enacted were made 10 be obcyed by the
Church as well as by everybody else in the
Kingdom. Accordingly, the Minister of Public
Worship. Count Czaki, who is a near relative
Of tho Cardinal Of that name, lost no time in
calling the attention of the bishops and clergy
1865 and in demanding their compliance with
| the ordinances therein contained. The bishops
have refused, however, 10 communicate the
Government circular TO the priests Of their
diocese on the ground that its demands are in
conflict with the doctrines of the Catholic
Church and their determination to refuse
obedience 10 the Government in the matter has
been strengthened by communications received
| rom tho Vatican, inStructing them not to give
way nor 70 subordinate the laws of the Church
10 mere secular DEGREES
The Government however is firmly decided
that neither the clergy nor any one else shall
| be permitted 20 defy the laws of the land and
10 treat them with contempt, and should the
! bishops persist in their disObediencc it NAV
possibly be constrained to impound the vast
landed estates of the Hungarian Church. which
is without exception the wcalthest in all Eu-
rope. In assuming this Incorporating atti-
tude toward the Church, the Hungarian Minis
try is acting in accordance with the almost
| unanimous wishes of Parliament, and knows
| that it possesses the power, bOtn in and outside
tho Diet, to put lis threat, into execution