The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1904-05-21


known it is half averted.
But the real disappointment on the
part of the Quirinal is this. The House
of Savoy had counted on this voyage,
as every one knows, as the first step
in doing away with the Roman ques-
ton. The visit to the Vatican, by
tearing away the oppressive etiquette,
would open the way to reconciliation
of the Pope and the king. 1t would
mean the end of the divorce and the
passing over of the leadership over
the Latin races and Catholicism, which
had been given up by the republic, to
the House of Savoy. 1t is known that
M. Barrere, the secret ambassador of
the Quirinal, was working with equal
ardor for a visit of M. Loubet to the
Vatican and the preparation of mo-
dus vivendi. 1t was with Queen Marg-
herita, whose attentions to the cleri-
cal world are we'll known, that the i'll
defatigable diplomat had prepared the
threads of the intrigue. The smiling
good nature of Plus x, the audiences
which he granted to white society,""
his conversations with senators and
deputies seemed to justify these mad
hopes and to encourage such cool au-
dacity.
Now, as the audience at the Vatican
fell through, the reconciliation has to
be put off,; more than that, the journey
of M. Loubet places it beyond present
possibilities, by widening the gulf be-
tween the two Romes. Will not the
Pope, shut in and circumvented by
these intrigues, be obliged, in order to
safeguard his rights, his dignity and
his interests to demand more ostenta-
tiously and clearly his independence
and freedom in his functions? Is it
not law OF history that half victory
precedes defeat? Is not game that
is put off a game lost? in the presence
Of this danger the papacy will concen-
trate its efforts, and now that this hope
has been lost the Quirinal will increase
its opposition. The Roman hostility
rises on the seven hills increased to a
degree which seemed to have become
impossible.
. That is not all. The last acts o.
, Wilhelm II. leave the Quirinal no illu.
sions as to the future. If by chance
let US suppose, on account of M. Lou
bets journey, the break between the
, republic and the Papacy occurs, who
will secure Frances place at Rome ane
in the Orient? Placed between Viii
helm H., at a distance and with hi
hands full of promises, and the king o
Italy, so near neighbor, who's
schemes can be guessed, is it possible
Z for the Pope to hesitate? If he need
l a protector, has he any choice? AM
: this closer cooperation of the Hohen
e zollern with the Holy See, does it no
S mark diminution in the internationa
n power OF the House of Savoy? If tn
S republic goes, Germany comes in; an
/ if France abolishes her embassy a
t Rome Wilhelm II. establishes Papa
a nunciature at Berlin. 1t seems to m
y that the Quirinal would gain nothin
t in the exchange.
S 1t is useless to waste time on sup
! positions. France will reflect TIL
/ Pope will patiently await his time
|. Plus x. is too shrewd to elbow event
/ to influence him. The more he op
g poses the facts with the holy majest
c Of resistance, the more his power wi
d spread and grow strong. No conces
S sions. no provocation-that seems t
if be his plan, and that is the highes
II wisdom. If, out of anger Or spirit c
J. vengeance the Papacy were to max
) France pay for the stupid actions c
7, those who govern her, Germany un
y doubtedly would offer the compensa
/ ton that has been so much talke
C about. But after she had once attain
7, ed the place of the republic a
y Rome, the ardor of the wooer woul
: diminish with the acquisition of tn
S rights desired. Wilhelm II. is a sic
S man. He will be followed by sovei