New-York tribune., 1905-08-19

md VI
the Italian cities. This policy he based upon the
principles OF the old Roman law. though 1t was
IN Pom. itself and throughout Italy that 1t was
most bitterly opposed titantc struggle ensueu'
which ended with Fredericks defeat AT LeerHho'
which Dr. Hill calls "the Marathon OF conn
munal independence sor the cities OF i'As'
Then the diplomacy Of Venice came 10 the fore'
and Frederick in time accepted Its mediauon.
He reinouished his extreme aims and adopted
a pol:cy as liberal his former one haa peeh
arbitrary. In their triumph however, the
Papscv and the Italian cities knew not how TO
he generous and conciliatory. but antagonizeo
Frederick to the end. There followed Henry W.
with his savage efforts to establish worlo mon
archy through cruelty. and the Tuscan League
and the rise Of Italian diplomacy TO dominant
place. The Papacy began 10 clash with some Oh
the Independent kingdoms which were arising
outside OF the empire and Innocent III suffered
the humiliation Of seeing the English oarons
extort Magma Charta from John Lakeland de-
snits the Papal encouragement and support
given to that unworthy King. In that incident
a long step WAS taken toward the rehabilitation
of those ancient Teutonic liberties which hao
been subverted partly by emperors and parity
by Popes
With Frederick III came the supreme struggle
for empire against the Papacy and the ltaiian
cities This last of the great enperors aoopleu
wise and UDeral poilcy, ana Was ar oi"NO 'N
he was wise. He went to Palestine and was
crowned King of Jerusalem. He made treaty
with the Saracens and gained their lasting
friendship. When, however, the final test or
strength came between him and the Pope. he
was deserted by the other sovereigns Of Europe,
who selfshly desired to curry favor with the
Pope for their own petty ends. The result was
that he suffered deposition and though Loyalty
protected to the end by his Saracen retainerss
he died In secluson and defeat. With him the
medieval empire of the Saxons, Franconians
and Suabians caYe TO an end Thereafter there
were puppet emperors, nominated by the Popes.
Meantime as was natural in that failure OF the
theory of universal empire there was multi
| plcation of independent cities and small States
| in Italy and in Germany and the Free Cities or
| Germany arose and the Swiss cantons. Among
| ali these diplomatic dealings were necessary
| and the development of diplomacy and OF inter
national law greatly promoted There also
| grew into commanding stature those larger ma
! tional kingdoms OF England. France and Spain,
| which had long held aloof from the empire Yet
| once again there arose a gleam Of promise for
| the restoration Of Rome as the imperial capital
| OF the world That was when Henry VII OF
Luxemburg assumed the purple and strove to
make Rome his capital. But Italy had become
4 "a geographical expression" The WelfWeib
| lingen feud was raging between the Orsns ana
CoIonnas who thought of their mutual
| hatreds than of universal empire, and the Pa
| pacy itself was anita gonistic. The bright dream
| faded and the last hope of Italian imperialism
| died. 1t was a striking bit Of the irony of fate
| that then the Papacy, which had so long and
| so often dictated to the empire, and which had
| prevented the rehabilitation of Rome in its i'm
perisl estate, should be taken captive by power
outside of the empire and be held by 1t in tnral-
| RI fort nd ten
| At this epoch marking poinl in European his
tory the present volume closes. It is a story
| not OF diplomatic details, intrgues treaties and
| the like though, Of course, it deals with these.
| 1t is rather history Of the political develop
| ment of Europe affected not by wars and
| battles and generals, but by diplomacy and law
| and craftsmanship. Covering a range OF many
| centuries the review is of necessity concise, yet
| it is sufficiently comprehensive for information
| and consideration, as we'll for suggestion. We
are not that such outlook upon the
! doings of mankind is much more inspiring or
| agreeable than that which warriors in
stead of diplomats and battlefelds instead of
| council chambers. Some of the passions of
| peace are no more admirable than those of war.
| But at least this is a most important and, in
| deed altogether essential phase of human his
| tory, which has hitherto been too much neglected
| or too much subordinated to the more dramatic
and strenuous phases. If Dr. Hill completes his
| work down to the present time with the thor
| oughness, discretion and masterful touch which
characterize this opening volume he will make
an invaluable contribution to historical litera-
ture.