The times., 1899-12-18
Another European Question.

Although the relations between the Ital-
ian Government and the papacy, under the
slrict letter OF the law of nations, cannot
be said to concern any power extraneous TO
Italy. vet everybody knows that q condition
OF open and active hostility between the
Quiriua and the Vatican could not exist
without involving European international
relations 70 greater or less extent. Such
a status appears TO have been reached and
il cannot fail to be interesting not only 10
d large Catholic population all over the
world which has always regarded the sup
preston of the Pope's temporal power with
resentment. but to students of high politics
generally. and statesmen OF the Old World
particularly.
With intervals during which there have
appeared 10 be prospects Of an accommoda-
Jiou. there has been a continual struggle
between the two forces in the peninsula
ever since the revolution of Italian unity
/ resulted in Matchmaking the States of the
Church. and in placing Victor Emanuel on
The throne. with Rome as the capital Of
the new Kingdom. From that day to the
end OF his life Plus * always spoke Of and
regarded himself as prisoner within the
bounds Of the Vatican; and his successor,
much more diplomatic but not less deter
mined man has held firmly to the same
idea Both pontiffs have never ceased TO
carry on a struggle for the restoration Of
The "pairimOny Of ST. Peter" On the other
side the doctrine has been held that the
/ Interests OF the State would be jeopardized
z fr4gI1vay,r4a,gr
/ sovereignty within its national boundaries,
and. although many weil-meant efforts
have been made on the part Of Italian and
I foreign influences to bring about an under
standing or a compromise, they have all
gnally failed
The Vatican has regarded the italian
/ Government as the embodiment of organ
F lied brigaudage. as a ruthless despoiler OF
/ the Church and as a vandal invader of its
holy city. Il is to be supposed that under
such conditions, the political situation in
Italy would be not without its differences
and excitements. Included in its citizen
I ship there has always been a strong eIe-
ment opposed TO the Government and de-
voted 10 the papacy and its policy; and this
T fact and its consequences have made the
reigus of the first and second monarchs
+ of the Kingdom otherwise than comfortable
+ Il is unnecessary here to review the history
OF the trouble since 1870; the important
point in the connection is that it appears
( 10 have reached a crisis, Immediately pre-
cipitated by a recent decision CT the Italian
/ Court Of Cessation.
Notwithstanding the Pope's deprivation
Of temporal power, and of recognition as
/ one Of the princes OF Europe much Of the
/ old form and circumstance Of sovereignty
have been retained by the Papai Court 1t
/ has stin maintained a Secretary Of State,
/ has accredited nuncios. as formerly, 10
/ Catholic States, and has received ENJOYS
I from them. In short as between the Vati-
can and Governments OF countries where
/ Catholicism is the State religion. diplomatic
relations have generally continued as If no
change in the status OF the seat of Rome
had taken place. From the Vatican and
Catholic point Of view. this has been ma
tural, proper, necessary and matter OF
right not 10 be questioned. But judging
from the latest developments. it would
seem that the sovereign privileges exercised
by the Pope have not been regarded by the
Italian Government as things II was bound