The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-12-03
VATICAN AND RUSSIA.
EJRsg PAPAL MISSION 10 sT. PETERS,
BURG UNDER NOR. TiRNASSL

ROME Nov. 1S-The Gar OF Russia has now
taken final decision. tho religious and diplo-
matte importance OF which can 10 misunder-
stood by no one II IL to allow the establish
ment at st. Petersburg OF an extraordinary
paral mission. Toe history Of this affair Is Pc
culiarly interesting. At the beginning OF the
year the Gar Understood perfectly how fruitful
would be n closer collaboration between Russia
and ;he Papacy. II In other points he has neg
lectad the positive and weighty Inheritance
OF Alexander III In ecclesiastical matters he
has followed up his fathers policy with remark
able tenacity.
For a moment his mind dwelt on the plan OF
q nunciature. The national appeasement OF
Poland. the reaction which policy OF Intimacy
with Rome would have on the Slav races and on
the Balkan peoples, the close connection be-
tween ecclesiastical questions and foreign rol-
itics. the subordination OF former struggles and
Internal revolutions to gradual realization
OF Russla's mission in history. his deep admi-
ration for the pacifying spirit OF Leo Kill. the
identity Of tho Roman questions with the aims
Of the Franco Russian alliance oil these inter-
e.ts induced the sovereign TO cultivate the
friendship OF the Holy See.
Hia ideas were opposed at once by the old
projulicos Of VI. Pobedonostzsw. who has al
ways preached to the Russians that tho Slav
races must be united under tho protoctorate OF
the schismatic Orthodox hegemony. The lat
ter In his Political. Religious and Social
Thoughts OF q Statesman" has tried to prove
geographically tho impossbility OF reunion
OF tho churches. and. consequently. OF an alli-
ance with the Papacy Luckily for himself the
Procurator OF the Holy Synod found efficient
and ardent assistants among the Germans. the
Italians and the English.
Tho nrst oppose vehementy any coming
together OF the Car and Rome because william
H., supported by the Centre. tho Bishops. the
Catholics and many groups both at Rome and
elsewhere. dreams OF resurrecting an Empire Of
tho West. with the al o'the Church aud NJ the
Holy See. by Incorporating with Germany the
German speaking provinces OF Austria The
Italians. ever uneasy at the growing increase
~ the Papacy's influence. oppose necessarily
and passionately any radical understanding
between the Pope and political power The
extension Of the Russian Empire In Asia makes
England uneasy. and as the vatican's assistance
renders Eussias task easier and shorter. the
British Foreign Office ends that II must be the
active and unrelaxing opponent OF this widen
ing OF the Roman 'pomprium" for the ad-
vantage OF St. Petersburg. The time has not
yet come for the revelation Of all the secrets
about this great intrigue. "nomina stunt
odiosa"
When this manifold opposition was disclosed
Nicholas III. substituted for his first idea more
modest scheme and one less difficult TO put into
practice: the sending. namely. to ST. Peters
burg OF an extraordinary Papal mission. All
seemed ready; the agreement with Leo KILL.
the Limitation OF the questions to be discusses.
the choice OF am bassadors when at the last mo-
ment, In August last. some persons OF second
AIRY Importance who either misunderstood a
note OF the Vatican or were subject to hostile
influences. suggested to the Gar that he
should put on the date OF the missions depart
ure on the ground that II offered no benefit to
Russia Politicians OF authority. however. have
put an end 70 those intrgues. and on Nov. 2. at
Darmstadt, Nicholas II gave orders that his
consent should be made known to the Holy
See
Mgr Tarnassi will be the pioneer OF the new
denarture. For the lrst time In history We
shall SEQ Rome set foot on the hanks OF tho
Seva. II will he an interesting sight, and
what may not the results bel It seems that
Russia will do It's best to help Mgr. Tarnassl
In his task. Ever since the partition OF Poland
ths enemies OF the Gar have spread among
Western nations a theory - which has not
always teen belied by the facts-ths theory
OF tho absolute irreconcilability between
Catholicism and Orthodoxy. The Car Was tho
anti Pope. The gulf between Poland and
Russia. between Russia and the Holy See. It
declared, was tmpaBBaDle. All NeAtPrl
nations. including tho French-and tho distrust
still continues in many OF them despite the
Franco Russian alllance-look upon Russia as
an Interchangeable enemy OF the Church. There
appears. therefore. to be an comparable OPP
portunity for the Russians TO put an end to this
view. ! may call 1t this legend. Should the new
mission work easily and with results, should
y subserye at the same time the interests OF
Rome and OF 81. Petersburg. then there is an
end forever TO tho Polish dissension.
Adhesion to the existing state OF things, in
all that il contains OF greatness and fruitful
ness. will triumph at Warsaw. Just as It is
slowly gaining body In French politics. with
her frontiers guaranteed. with pacihcatlon an
accomplished fact In Poland with sympathy
aroused beyond her borders. in these results
and In her good understanding with Rome.
Russia will nnd an irresistible lever for her
power OF projection into distance. whether It he
IN the Balkans. In Asia or even further away
II is for Russia's interest M well rs for her
the wheels OF this new diplomatic machine.