The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-10-24

viii the Pope Leave Rome?
4 There has been no clearer Indication o
[, the imminenco OF war In Europe than thu
statement telegraphcd from Rome to thu
4 London Chronicle. that arrangements are
making for the investment OF the Papn
funds outside OF Italy, and for the transfer
of the Vatican treasures to place OF safety
The Pope and his advisers have opportuni
ties OF learning the exact truth regarding
the condition OF tho Itulian finances, and
the alleged conviction OF King HUMBERT's
Government that in war alone Is there a
possible escape from bankruptcy and from
exposures OF official corruption. which would
wreck the dynasty in public esteem.
It seems evident that the Pope and the
college Of Cardinals, Us custodians OF funds
belonging to the whole Catholic Church,
would scarcely be justified in leaving them
invested In Italian national bonds. the accru-
ing interest upon which has been provided
for only by advances from Berlin bank
ers. All the more expedient will 1t appear
to place the Papal funds in less precarious
securities. II there is ground for the tele-
graphed assertion that Signor GIoLII,rIs
exposition of the Italian financial situation
has 30 shocked German capitalists that
no further assistance from them can be
hoped for. But the same spirit OF prudence
which would dictate the rein vestment In
Paris. London. or New York OF the moneys
standing in the name OF the Pope or OF the
Propaganda, would also enjoin the timely re-
moval OF the priceless artistic treasures col
lected In the Vatican to some place of de-
posit beyond the reach Of an anti-Papal
demonstration like that for which a pretext
was furnished by the visit OF the French
pilgrims. The head Of the Catholic Church
10 not likely TO forget that it was the army
OF q professedly Catholic sovereign which
sacked Rome and inflicted far more griev-
GUS damage on its monuments than they
had suffered from the Goths. At the same
time LEO XIII. must know we'll that he has
less reason to expect sympathy and pro-
lection from the soldiers OF HUMBERT l.
than had his predecessor to trust the levies
OF the Emperor CHARLES V. 1t Ia. indeed.
believed by those who have closely studied
his character. that the present Pope has in
him the stun Of which martyrs are made, |
and that he would cheerfully confront the |
risk Of Imprisonment or even death. All |
the more is it the duty Of his advisers and |
cradle Pontiff from insult and outrage.
By Catholics throughout the world it will
be recognized as undeniable that. IL the
Vatican has ceased to be a fit place OF de-
posit for its art treasures it can be no
longer safe place OF sojourn for the Pope.
1t may also be argued that only by the with
drawal OF LEO KILL from Rome at time
when King HUMBERT's Government would
not venture to forbid it, could the hold
Ing Of the next conclave outside OF Italy be
Italian newspapers. which are be-
lieved to express official intentions declare
that, should the Popes death take place in
The midst OF n European war, King HUM
BERTs Ministers would compel the conclaye
70 be held in Italy by tho simple process Of
the Italian Cardinals, who con-
'titute majority. from leaving the
peninsula. But II LEO XIII. should decide
% seek place OF refuge in some foreign
country before the outbreak Of war. most
u the Italian Cardinals would accompany
lin. and the Italian Government would lose
VI power OF controlling the next conclaye.
There are signs that Catholics all over
he world are at last awakening to n fact.
which they have long been strangely
lind, the fact. namely. that the fate of, the
'atican. and perhaps that Of the Pope him
eli, are bound up with the issue of the con-
let In which the three central powers will
pitted against France and Russia.