The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-06-07
C4rHoLIC INTERESTS IN CHINA.
The New Apostolic Delegation to Pekin and
the French Protectorate over Missions in
the Far ERst-Duel of POPE and Emperor.

| The New Apostolic Delegation to Pekin and
| the French Protectorate over Missions in
the Far East-Duel of Pope and Emperor.
ROME. May 10.-The triumph Just won by
| the Church in China in the official recognition
OF Catholicism and Of the French protcctorate
| VIII be first Of all a cordial to the green and
| amazing old age OF Leo MIL Lately when
tho envious and the jealous tho impatient
and the men Of routine. expressed fears that
tho old age OF Leo Kill might be marked by
the end OF reign n period OF anarchy in
the central administration Of the Church. Leo
NH. showed certain amount of Indignation
Mt the implied criticisms, saying: Il will show
them that an old man can plant Just as well as
young man"
Following Lnfontainc's preccpt Leo NIL
has planted. The event. which is diplomatic
as well as n religious one. has history. 1t
Will be recalled. perhaps. that in 1886 the
Holy Father had already opened active ncRo-
tIations at Pekin. Unluckily the enemies OF
Frances protcctorate brought the enterprise
TO naught. At the head of the Italo-G Cor
man. English Austrian conspiracy stood Mr.
Dunn. the director of AnRlo-Chinese GUS
toms at Pckin. To establish Il Nuncnture
In china in order to overthrow the ancient
French protcctoratc, which assures to the
Government at Paris the religious hcgcmony
In the Far East. then when this first step had
been carried out to extend tho innovation TO
the Levant. where France has like privileges {:
such was the scheme OF Frances rivals. It
was in vain that Leo Mi. gave assurance OF
his desire to save the work OF centuries BY CO.
ordinatng 1t organicaly with the now Nun
ciature; his explanations and promis as could
not get the better Of the French Cabinets
punctilio.
In the presence Of NJ. de Freycnet's stubborn
resistance Leo Kill suspended" the negotia-
tons. with the desire and the certainty Of TAX
Ing them UP again later. Full OF Difference and
OF love for France the Pope said: Il do not
wish to take the responsibility OF rupture"
Twelve years went by The Triple Alliance
and England made use of every eXpedient to
reach the same result. Enrolment OF the mis-
sionares. pressure On the Propaganda. use Of
the bunders OF the French Government ia
vors to the Francscans Custodia at Jerusa-
lem. an adrolt. inslnuating court paid to the
Pope and to the Catholics of oil countries. moth
ing was neglected in the mysterious attack
When the Kiao Chou incident and the preten-
tious pilgrimage Of the Kaiser to Jerusalem oc-
Cured we were enabled to see clearly what
progress the campaign had made In many
countries the Catholics seemed to stand on the
side OF crowned Lutheransm against the very
mandates Of the Pope
The unexpected seizure OF southern Shan
TunR. however. and William ii 8 pompous
journey to Jerusalem, made manifest to
Frenchmen the incompatible value to them of
the protectorate They were in the position Of
man who, having repudiated his wife. wishes
to take her back at any cost when he sees his
neighbors counting her assiduously. Despite
the promises and advances Of William H.. the
Pope reserved his favor for the French people.
knowing that this preference was the founda-
ton OF the extension and exaltation Of Cathoi-
cism. 1t was Of no use for tho Kaiser to send
to the Holy Father Cardinal kOpp. Mgr. Amer
and other emissaries In favor: Leo NH. re-
manned intlcxibe. The Pope's letter to Cardinal
Iangenieux. dated in August last. was merely
the weakened but authentic EXPRESSION Of n
far-reachlng policy. The Kaiser was much
hurt by it. 1t was straight thrust at his per-
sonal policy As a matter OF fact when the two
German missionaries in southern Shan Tung
were mastered. Mgr. Amer happened to he in
Europe and suggested to the Emperor the idea
OF laying hands on that fruitful province. tax
ing advantage OF the violation Of the law OF ma
tions. Tho Emperor saw the point He sub
mitted the plan to the Ministry. which rejected
II. on the ground that IL meant policy of ad-
venture. william H. said to Mgr. AMER Pa
thence. we shall get there" He asked his Min
lister at Pekin by wire for his opinion he. too.
advised the Emperor not to. Patience" Will
liam H. kept on saving to the head OF the mis-
sions The Emperor. as every one knows.
passed over the refusals; the German Catho-
lies. worked up by Mgr. Amer and the court.
entered into the glorious imperial ideas with
fervor that more than once came near breaking
down the obedience due tho Pope.
Leo NIL. however. was on the lookout. He
who locks on the single protectorate as an
a'gls and on the multiple protectorate as
danger arranged matters so as to turn the