New-York tribune., 1900-09-23

I
part of the German. Italian. Spanish POrtu-
guese and Belgian governments. they asked
them especially Germany. Austria and Italy
to assert their rights their missionaries
To this the three governments in the Triple Al
lance agreed In this way France was de-
prived through the action OF the Triple Al
lance of all right Of control Of German. Aus
trian or Italian Catholic missionaries
France unable to raise any obstacle 70 this
clever move the part Of the Chinese Govern
ment came to the conclusion that only by
means of a compromise with the Vatican would
it be able to retain any vestige Of its former
role Of the principal protecting power Of Roman
Catholicism in the Orient. Accordingly, II be-
came a party to a remarkable convention be-
tween the Vatican and the Chinese Govern
ment which came into force about year ago,
and according to the terms Of which the Chi
nese Government recognized and authorized
the Roman Catholic religion as one Of the Official
denominations of the empire In the preamble
of the convention are found the words
Churches of the Catholic religion, the propaga-
tion of which has long been authorized by the
Imperial Government. are now being erected in
all the provinces OF China" The convention
provides that questions in connection with The
Roman Catholic missions in China shall be
settled in ar amicabIe manner between the Chi
nese authorities and the heads OF the various
missionary stations, for which purpose bishops
are recognized by the terms Of the convention
as of equal rank with the Governors OF Vice
roys OF provinces. while apostolic Wears pro-
vincials and superors are similarly endowed
with official status equivalent to that OF the
projects OF towns and of districts. Chinese
dignitsxies, from viceroys downward, are com
manded 10 interchange official cOurtesies with
the Roman Catholic bishops and clergy, and to
do everything in their power 10 arrange affairs
amicably with them.
STATUS OF THE VATICAN IN CHINA
1t is only when such an arrangement has be-
come impossible that the missions OF France,
OF Belgium of Spain and Of Portugal are 20
invoke the intervention and championship OF
France. the protecting power. while those OF
Germany, Austria and Italy may appeal to their
respective sOvereigns. In view Of The anxiety
Of the Chinese Government to avoid giving
France (or any other foreign GOvernmenU any
excuse for exercising her pretensions as a pro
tectng power, the native authorities may be
lied upon to do all in their power 10 meet The
view of the Roman Catholic missions. This con-
vention. in which Leo XIII is described as the
Emperor Of the Religion has received the
signatures of the Pontiff, OF the Emperor OF
China and of the Empress DowageT and ike
wise of the French Government
That is why Leo XIII Will present directly 70
the Chinese Government, when re-eStabliShet
the demands for indemnity for loss Of life and
property suffered BY the Roman Catholic mis-
sions. and it is only in the improbable event ot
these demands being rejected by the Chinese
that the Vatican will call upon the protecting
Powers. That is to say, the Pope would call
upon France in connection with the injury SUI
fered by the French. Belgian. Spanish and
Portuguese missions Germany would take Up
the claims in connection with the German Cath
olic missions. Francis Joseph would enforce
those of the Austrian missions. while the
Italian Government without any request from
the Vatican. would naturally espoUSe the cause
of the missions composed of Italian clergy.
Sooner than allow affairs come TO such a
pass, and rather than 10 permit these claims
for indemnity presented by Leo Mi 10 become
the pretext for additional exactions on the part
of the great Powers. the Chinese Government
viii prefer 10 settle with the Vatican direct
That is why il is probable that the Roman
Catholic missions. presenting their demands for
damages through the Pope. viii have them
speedily granted than The Protestant mis-
SionS which inJrust their claims 10 their re-
spective Governments. This merely bears out a
theory derived from a considerable experience
OF the Orient. that the protection of a West
ern Government is a source of weakness rather
than OF strength to missionary enterprise, and
tFat the object of the latter can be best at