The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-12-03
VIII the Jesuits be Recalled to Ger
manyr

| manyE
1t was . remarkable triumph which was
| won on Friday In the Relchstag by the
German Catholics composing the so-called
Centrist party. BY o majority of thirty
seven they passed the motion for the revo-
cation OF the decree expelling the Jesuits
from Germany. 1t Is now more than
twenty years since tho decree was issued.
or all the anti-Catholio statutes known as
the FALK laws, the one levelled against the
Society OF Jesus was the first to come. as
it will be the last to go. 1t has not gone
yet. for the proposal sanctioned by
the Rechstag may be rejected by the
| Bundesrath. or upper House OF the Ger
mau Parliament. Opinions differ as to
the likelihood OF such rejection. and an
analysis Of the vote in the popular branch
| OF the legislature does not throw much
| light upon the subject.
Should the Government determine to OPP
pose the revocation OF the decree against
the Jesuits. it could easily obtain major
| ity In the Bundesrath. 1t absolutely con-
trolls tho seventeen votes belonging to
Prussia In that body. and 1t could easily
| secure enough additional votes from Prot
| estant States to defeat the move sanctioned
| by the Rechstag. As to the intentions OF
the Cove ment, however the indications
given by the vote In the lower House are
| conflicting. On the one hand. 1t will be
noticed that the majority for revocation
included. besides the Clerlcals and Poles.
most Of the Radicals. the Socialists. and the
Alsatians. This looks like a combination
based on an agreement that the Catholics.
In return for support on the Jesuit ques-
| ttnn utl1 aida with thu Onnpsitinn N nat
the fiscal measures needed to meet the
extra expenditure imposed by the enlarge
ment OF the army. But. II such coalition
were known to have been made. 1t would
naturally encounter from the outset the
most vehement resistance on the part Of
the Government. AS a matter Of fact,
neither Chancellor Won CAPRIvI nor any
other Minister took any part In the debate.
Their silence Is the more significant be-
cause lightweight members OF the Reichs-
tag were either absent or refrained from
voting; and although. as We have said, the
revocation motion was carried. it fell short
by twenty-six OF the number constituting
majority in full House. 1t Is incredible
that the Government. II 1t had tried. could
not have exercised great deal OF influence
on large proportion Of the abstainers.
On one theory. the non-committal course
pursued by Chancellor Won CAPRIvI could
be easily explained. He can defer submit
ting the revocation motion to the Bundles
rath until the Relchstag has assented to
his commercial treaties and to the new
taxes rendered Indispensable by the addI-
lions to the army. 1t Is extremely doubtful
whether the proposed internal revenue Inn
posts. or any commercial treaty with Rus
sla calculated to expose German grain
growers to Russian competition. can be-
carried through the Reichstag without the
support OF the Centrist party. That sup
port could no doubt be secured IL the Chan
cellor on his part would agree to obtain the
acquiescenoe Of the Bundesrath in the an
nulment OF the decree eya Hing the Jesuits
from Germany. The Society of Jesus being
the principal educating agency In the
Catholic Church. Its readmission to Ger
many is held to be matter Of vital moment
by Catholics. especially as they look for
ward to acquiring ultimately a large meas
ure OF control over the Prussian national
schools.
Should such a combination be eventually
made-and 1t Is hard to account for the
Chaneellor's neutral position In any other
way-the Radicals and Socialists who voted
10 recall tho Jesults may discover that they
have made q serious strategical blunder.
II they. who are at heart the most ardent
approyers OF the expulsion OF the Jesuits
and Of the thorough secularization Of the
State. had sided with the Conservatives
and National Liberals, in whose ranks the
jealous Professionals are mainly to be found.
they could easily have beaten the revoca-
tlon proposal. But even II they foresaw
that 1t might be carried in the Reiohstag-
1t probably could not have been in full
House-they undoubtedly counted on its
ultimate rejection in the Bundesrath. AS
matter Of fact they have RELOCATED the
question TO the Government, and have thus
played directly into the Chancellor's hand.
giving him lever OF influence over the
Catholics which may prove Irresistible