The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-01-22
Tho Triple Alliance and tho Vatican.

Tho Triple Alliance and the Vatican.
There Is nothing incredible or surprising
In the report that the German Emperor has
instigated the Vienna Government to try to
arrange some kind Of compromise between
the kingdom OF Italy and the Vatican.
There ls no doubt that Jealous Catholics all
over Europe believe that the grievances
complained Of by the Holy Father require
redress, or that they hold the Triple ALI
snce In some degree responsible for King
HuNBERrs refusal to render the position Of
LEo XIII. less intoerable. But while the
Importance Of conciliating Catholic public
opinion Is obvious. it is hard to see what
measures can be taken to that end. for the
Vatican problem seems unsolvable without
the cesslon OF territory to tho Pope. and to
any such cession Italian Liberals have de-
clared themselves inflexibly opposed.
Even as regards the home affairs OF Prus-
sia and Of the German empire. the concili-
alton OF the Catholics is matter of great
moment to Kaiser WILLIAM II. In view OF
the present distribution OF party strength
In the Landtag and the Reichstag. Chan
cellor CAPRrv1 cannot rely on carrying his
measures without the support OF the Catholic
phalanx. which occupies the centre Of those
assemblies. AS regards. however. the con-
cessions to Catholics within the compass of
home legislation. the Chancellor has almost
gone the length Of his tether. The restric-
tons imposed by the FALK laws have been
one by one removed. and. except the recall
Of the Jesuits. none OF the demands pressed
by WNDTHoRsT remains unsatisfied II,
therefore. the German Ultramontanes are
to be kept tracteble and serviceable. some
Difference will have to be paid to their
wishes regarding the foreign policy OF the
empire. and especially its attitude toward
the Head Of the Church. Remembering the
outcome Of the war Of 1866. German Catho-
lies consider that Italy has more to gain
than Germany from the inclusion OF italy
in the Triple Alliance. and they not unnat-
urally imagine that their Emperor might. IL
no chose. sensibly emeliorate the situation
Of the Papacy.
Similar views are entertained by Catho-
lies throughout Austro-Hungary. and. inas-
much as the HAPsBURGs are the traditional
champions OF Catholicism. they deem that
the role OF avowed aud active mediator be-
tween Italy and the Vatican belongs to
their own sovereign rather thin to the
Protestant head OF the German empire. 1t
must be clear. moreover. to both Count
KALNoKY and Chancellor CAPRIvI that il
any attempt at Intervention Is to be made
on the part OF Austria. 1t had better be
made now. while FRANCIS JOSEPH is
still on the throne. The prudence and
moderation OF the present HAPsBUNG
haiser adapt htn to play the part Of
common friend In the extremely difficult
business OF arranging modus rivendi be-
tween interests seemingly irreconcilable.
lnasmuch. too. ms his health is delicate,
there Is no time to be lost. The heir ap-
parent to the dual monarchy is known to
Do fanatical In his devotion to the Holy See
and In his aversion to the HoHENZoLLERNs.
He w'.G!d be the last man in the world to
subordinate. or even to accommodate the
restoration OF the Popes independence to
the maintenance OF the Triple Alliance.
10 the other motives prompting the Der.
lin and Vienna Governments to Interest
themselves on behalf OF LEO XIII. Is added
the knowledge that indifference on their
part will force the Vatican to lean upon the
Franco Russian league. Spain and Belgium
are still undecided as to whether they will
enter the commercial coalition planned by
Germany. and the influence OF tho Papacy
might turn the scale. But however mani
fest and cogent may DO tine reasons which
impel the German and Austrian courts to
bring about au understanding between
Italy and the Vatican, it is probable. as
We have said. that their endeavors
will prove fruitless. The Italians who cling
to the traditions of MAzziNI and GARIBALDI
arc republicans at heart. and they have
Only accented the Savoyard monarchy -