New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-03-21

I'VE shall not" said Bismarck. go TO Ca
nossa." The strong boast was no doubt meant
at the tine, and the strong man who made II
thought surely he would be able 10 keep It. Il
was in 1872 that the Jesuits were driven out Of
Germany and IL was IN 1873 that the Falk laws
were made. The next year saw six Prussian
bishops cast into prison and thirteen hundred
parish churches closed. But in 1919 Falk re-
signed. Puttkammer succeeded him and Bis
marck turned his face CanoSsaward. BY 1856
The Kuturkampf was practically ended. IN his
own time and at tho height OF his power Bis
marck had reached Canossa. II has been re-
served until now for the work 10 be completely
done-or undone The step that was the first
10 be taken is the last 10 la retraced. But Il
s. retraced at last. and the Jesuits are free TO
return to Germany.
The reasons FOR this reversal OF policy should
not be misunderstood. They are twofold, do
nestle and foreign. II IS a mistake 10 assume
as some have done, that Bismarck repealed the
Falk laws because OF the growth Of the Cen
trum IL IS quite true that tho Centrum did
steadily grow until IL became by FAR the largest
single party in the ReichstaS. But there was
TO corresponding growth OF its popular con-
stituency. On the contrary. Roman Catholicism
had been steadily diminishing. in proportion to
other creeds, ever since the foundation u the
empire IN 1871 there were Boz Catholics in the
thousand. IN 1880 there were 80. and in 1890
there were 35s In the same years there were.
respectively. C23. GIG and CPS Professionals in the
thousand. The growth 81 the Centrum meant
therefore. nothing but that the Catholics were
more and more Withdrawing from other partlas
and making themselves a political party rs well
as a church II could not have continued in
definitely. Il was necessarily limited
The great domestic reason for Bismarcl's
shn Co
Of socialism. lie saw the steady and rapid
growth of socialism. not only in the Reichstag.
but suh more in the nation. and he realized
that he needed the help OF the Centrum 10 deal
with it. The other the great foreign reason
was the need Of an understanding with Rome
IN order 10 cOunteract French influence in for
elgn lands and 20 strengthen the foundations OF
the Triple League. On the one hand. France
was gaining much prestige as the recognized
protector OF Christians in the East. and on the
other hand the Triple League was being COM
promised by having two OF its members in en-
nifty with Rome. The loyal Catholic Kaiser Of
Austria did not quite feel at home in partner
ship with two practically excommunicated pow
ers. So II was to gain an ally against social
ism md 70 strengthen Germany against France
that The Iron Chancellor made his reluctant but
inevitable journey 70 Canossa
in the present concluding act the successors
OF Bismarck shrewdly seize upon the psycholog-
ical moment. The French government has ex-
PEELED the religious orders. The German gov
eminent opens wide the gates OF the empire and
4 Invites them in. France is committed 70 n re-
morseless war against the Roman Catholic
! church. or n great part Of It, Germanv re-
moves The last trace Of offence between herself
J and that organization. II does not. OF co1rse
mean mat Germany Is becoming Catholic. al
1 though there has been some increase Of C,,tt,o1
ieism since the repeal OF the FaIk laws nl,ero
are now $50 Catholics I'm the thousand or morn
than in 1890 or lsSo. though not 50 many as IN