The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1903-05-09
POPE AND KAISER.

POPE AND KAISER.
The recent visit of the German EN-
peror to the Vatican and the manifest
effort made by him to show Difference
to the head of the Catholic Church is
looked upon in many quarters as
step on the part of the Emperor to
establish closer relations with the
Roman see. Nothing can testify
more strongly to the power which the
Pope has throughout the world, than
the happenings of the last few days.
He has been visited by the heads of
two of the most powerful countries in
the world and both of them are ac-
counted Protestant countries, although
These visits We're not made out of
mere curiosity, for the Emperor at
least has visited the Vatican ON three
previous occasions. 1t is interesting
to note that the attitude of the German
government toward Rome is becoming
more and more friendly at the very
time when her traditional enemy
France, one OF the most Catholic
countries in the world, seems to be
seriously offending the Holy Father
This coincidence is interpreted by the
press as am effort on the part Of
Germany to replace France in esteem
and favor at the Vatican. This is
not probable, for Germany is largely
a Protestant country. While some Of
the German states are Catholic, Prus-
STA, the dominating power in the Ger
man Empire, is Protestant. 1t is
more probable that it betokens de-
sire on the part of Emperor William
to enjoy the esteem and good will of
Leo XIII, who is to-day the most pow
erful ruler of men in the world. The
different governments are all beginning
to realize that Rome is a powerful
factor i'm the social and economic
world as we'll as in the religious. EN-
peror William is an active and alert
ruler, and no matter what may be said
of his eccentricities he is by no means
asleep. He is probably the most intel
ligent and all round man occupying 4
throne to-day. Europe has long ago
ceased to call him the "crazy man."
He knows that there are forces at
work In society which cannot be
checked or controlled by the imperial
army. He knows equally we'll that
Leo XIII is by all odds the most pot
cnt factor, in the moulding Of the
worlds thought. And he knows that
that power is exerted in teaching obed-
fence to government and in preserving
society from anarchy and riot. The
press dispatches of last week announce
the wonderful growth Of socialism
within the German Empire. Emperor
William is the head Of the greatest
standing army in existence, greatest
in numbers, equipment and training.
Against amy foreign foe that might at
tack the empire from without this
force would probably be entirely ef
fective but over the thoughts, religious
and social, of the subjects of the en-
pire it is as entirely ineffective. And
so the government of Germany has
of late years Shown marked inclina-
ton to reverse the attitude toward the
Pope, assumed by the First William
and the Iron Chancellor.
Only last week the cable announced
that the Prussian government had
yielded to the representations of the
nlshop of Treves and would allow the
German language and history to be
taught by Catholic teachers in the
girls school at Treves. Last February
Chancellor Won Bulow stated in the
Reichstag that there was no longer
any necessity for preventing individu-
nj members of the order of Jesus from
residing in Germany. and that it was
his intention to have the second sec
ton of the Ant-Jesuit law repealed.
which announcement WAS followed by
a resolution of the same nature adopt
ed by the Reichstag.
No matter what the immediate cause