Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-01-29
SIMEONPS SUCCESSOR
A Bitter Enemy to the German En-
pire and Prince Bismarck.
LEDOCHOWSKI A PATRIOTIC POLE.
Yet Leo Hopes to Conciliate the Fatherland
and Warn Italy.
THE CAREER OF A FIGHTING PRELATE

ROME, Jan. pa native of Prussiar
Poland, Cardinal Ledochowski, is the sue
cessor of the late Simeoni as Prefect of the
Congregation de Propaganda Eide in the
Papal Cabinet. In 1862 he became Arch
bishop of Thebes and Nuncio at Brussels.
He spent two years in prison for opposing
the Government of his country and was
treated very harshly. While still in prison
he was appointed Cardinal priest. After
his release he got into hot water with both
the Austrian and the Prussian Govern
ments. Being ordered to quit Gallicia, he
was received by Pope Plus TX. with dis
tinguished honor.
From his chambers at the Vatican he
thenceforth continued to direct the affairs
Of his diocese, apparently paying little heed
to the sentences which his old enemies con-
tinued to impose on him. In April, 1877,
he was sentenced to three years imprison-
ment and to pay fine Of 300 thalers. In
! October, 1873, similar fine was imposed on
him. Finally, in July, 1879, he was sum
moned, through the Prussian Ambassador
at Rome, to appear before the Government
tribunals, and, failing to appear, was sem
fenced to 20 days Imprisonment and to pay
fine of 1000 thalers.
A Bitter Enemy of Bismarck.
Cardinal Ledochowski was for time
friendly toward the German Government.
He was an intimate friend of the late EN-
press Augusta of Germany. Subsequently
events occurred which led him to change
his attitude toward the Government, and
he became one of its most bitter adversa-
res. He incurred the hostility OF Prince
Bismarck, and the result was that he was
sentenced to several years Imprisonment.
He was, after a time, allowed to escape,
and has since resided in Rome.
The German Government, it is said, is
now trying to court him in order to get him
to accept the policy of the Emperor, and to
have him as an ally near the Pope, but thus
far his sentiment against Germany is unap-
peasable, and the negotiations with him
have no present chance of success.
Had he been appointed Prefect of the
Propaganda during Bismarck's time it
would have been an act Of defiance toward
Germany. Bismarck regarded Cardinal
Ledochowski as his personal enemy. His
residence at the Vatican was the chief diff
Guilty met with by Herr Won Schloezer, the
German Ambassador to the Vatican, in at
tempting 10 carry OUT tuc Hlssion Win
which he was intrusted.
An Obstacle in the Way of Peace.
Bismarck was convinced that Cardinal
Ledochowski was constantly with the Pope,
advising him to resist the German over
lures and debating replies to the German
communications. The imperative part of
Herr Won Schloezer's mission was to induce
the Pope to part with Cardinal Le-
dochowski. This course Herr Won Schloezer
urged upon the Pope. but His Holiness
always replied that Prince Bismarck was
ill-informed of the position occupied by
Cardinal Ledoshowski.
Apart from the Pope, Cardinal Ledoch
owski wields great influence at the Vatican.
Every effort made by Germany since Bis
marck's fall to win the Cardinal to her side
has been without success
His appointment is designed to end the
difficulty with Germany by linking him to
the Vatican and by sinking his Polish
nationality. The Pope, in ignoring the
Italian candidates for the position, wishes
to make a step in the direction of inter
nationalizing the Vatican dignities The
appointment of Cardinal Ledochowski will
be warning to Italy.