New-York tribune., 1904-08-07

their displeasure TO bear upon those who have
identihed themselves herewith Indeed. the
birth of an heir TO the Gar would vastly
strengthen the hold of Nicholas upon the devc-
tion of his Tchnoyiks to his wishes
With regard to the foreign complicat tions by
which the Car IS menaced he may be expected
10 devote all his energy and that Of his govern
mont to averting them. since he feels convinced
that Russia has everything 10 lose and nothing
TO gain by the intervention Of the other powers
in his conflict with Japan. Sooner than give any
pretext for interference, he continues to submit
to the CALLING and humiliating restrictions of
that treaty which debars him from the use of
his Black Sea fleet OF over eighty ships in the
present war and which keeps this big naval
force shut UP in an inland sea. 1t may be oues-
TONED whether. If the United States or Great
Britain found themselves in a similar predica-
ment. public sentiment would not compel their
respective governments to repudiate an agree
ment forced upon one or another cf them by
coalition Of powers at a time of national disas-
ter. and would proclaim that no treaty was
binding which attempted to close a natural
waterway between an inland and an open sea to
men-of-war, and thus handicap one of two bel
ligerents by hottlrG up portion of its navy in
an almost entirely landlocked sheet OF water.
AS for the problems arising from the seizure
by Russian cruisers Of vessels flying neutral
flags and believed to be carrying contraband
supplies for Japan the Gear has to a great ex-
tent averted danger OF complications arising
from this source by undertaking 20 make full
reparat.on in all cases where il can be shown
that the merchantmen seized or sunk had no
contraband on board. In such cases as those
which have recently taken place, the first step
made by the power under whose flag the neutral
ship has sailed is to appeal for redress to the
government which has committed the injury.
If that meets with response and promise OF re-
dress in the event Of wrong being proved there
the matter ends. For in giving satisfaction the
former OF the two powers admits a standard of
right common TO both nations. It is only when
the request for reparation meets with no re
sponse that the resort to arms becomes probable.
for there is in that case no authority to which
both can appeal, and which can not only decide
between them, but also enforce its judgment.
This being the case. and force being the only
alternative OF promise of reparation. IT natur-
ally follows that the latter will always be more
readily accorded TO a power that possesses q
strong feet capable of reprisals than TO one
which has a weak navy. And even with every
desire 20 do full justice TO the sense OF fair
ness Of the Car and his desire 10 avoid foreign
complications II may be questioned if Russia
would have so readily surrendered the Malacca
had the latter been sailing under the flag of
Portugal instead of under that of a nation pos
sessed Of so powerful navy as Great Britain.
Under the circumstances, the seizure by Russia
OF neutral ships suspected Of carrying contra
band furnishes a strong argument IN faFor OF
the increase of the American fleet.
AS for the Pope. the rupture Of his relations
with the French government was inevitable NO
other course was consistent with the dignity ana
the prestige OF the Roman Catholic Church as
whole. In this country when Catholic preiate
~ Of a~clRE acfA
cal misconduct herssy insubordination, the
Pope as the acknowledged chief OF the Church
TO which he belongs is pesmitted TO summon
him 20 Rome for reproof and discipline. without
any interference on the part Of the United states
government This is a right that the present
French government denies TO the Pontih IN the
case Of the Gallican bishops and priests on the
ground that they are paid by the state and are
officials Of the latter. II was because Plus \ IN
sisted upon this right and declined to withdraw
his summons OF the bishops OF D!Jon and
Laval 70 Rome that the Paris government mas
broken of all official relations with the Vatican
The next step will be the annulment Of the Con-
cordat or treaty governing the relations OF
France and the Papacy. which has been in ex-
istence ever since 1901. when IL received the sig
natures OF Napoleon as First Consul and OF
Plus VII According TO the terms OF this Con-
cordat the French government devotes the
sum OF S10O00000 each year to the sti-
pends of the bishops and parish priests.
which viii, Of course be done away with
IN the event OF the treaty being repealed. In
that case the French clergy would like the
priesthood in this country, be dependent upon
the voluntary contributions Of their hocks, which
would naturally cause a serious decline in the
amount of the subscriptions yearly sent by
French Catholics 10 Rome for the maintenance
Of the Papacy This loss might be counter
balanced were the Pope at length 10 consent 10
accent the 100000 a year held at his disposal
by the Italian Treasury, not as stipend. but
as a ouid pro quo for the property of the
Papacy which was taken by the state in
1870 The remarkable increase of cordiality
between the Vatican and the Italian govern
nent renders probable this solution OF the
economic problem with which Plus X would
be confronted were the Concordat 10 be an
nulled by France, for which legislative consent
Is however. Indispensable. Certain it is that
the Papacy would enjoy far greater amount OF
ecclesiastical independence by accepting the
$4,000 q year from the italian Treasury than
by consenting to all sorts Of compromises with
the present Paris Cabinet injurious to the pres
tige and discipline OF the Church, for the
sake Of the Sl0OO0,000 furnished TO the Gal!can
clergy by the French government. The latter
has ever since 1870 constituted the principal
obstacle TO the reconciliation of church and
state in italy. and the immnence of the latter
has been vastly increased by the war which the
administration OF ex-Abbe Combes has virtu-
ally declared upon the Papacy.
EX-ATTACHE.
WoMEN SHOPPERS SEE CARS CRASH.