The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-01-01

Although no longer a territorial Gov
ereign, the Pope is nevertheless recognized
not only by the Italian law Of guarantees
but also by the world at large, "a the
Sovereign Pope" enjoying all the priv
ieges and attributes of kinFship. includ-
ing that of maintaining armed troops
Few persons, however know that the
Vatican ia the most military ridden realm
in the universe.
Yet so it is. France in time Of war puts
g per cent. Of its citizsns under arms. Italy
and Germany per cent, Russia only
per cent, while the Vatican places 20
per cent. The Papal army when it is en-
tireiy modified on grand occasions, such
as ceremonies in ST. Peters or during con-
claves. numbers about 700 soldiers to the
2.eoO persons who inhauit the apostolic
palace.
Four years ago the question was raised
as to whether the Holy See Lad right TO
be represented at The Hague Peace Con-
ference, and although it might have been
expected that the Powers would imme-
diately grant the application OF Leo MIL
il was ultimately r. jected on the plea that
he had no standing army But the Grand
Duke of Luxembourg was represented ana
the total standing army of Luxembourg
consists Of $50 soldiers and $50 Gendarmes
800 in all. whereas the pontihcal army ~
twice as numerous, the Noble Guard SWISS
and Paatine guards and GendaImes form
ing total armed force of zoo officers and
men.
OF course the days are past recall when
the Roman Pontitf was head OF the chulch
militant in more senses than one and had
recourse 10 very pointed arguments IN
order 10 insure respect and submission
10 the Holy See. The world is not likely
ever again to sec bishops and cardinals
leading the pontifcal troops to battle or
second Pope Julius riding boldly into Mir
andola through the breach, at the head
of his victorious soldiers.
But men still live who have seen much
hard fighting under the banner OF the
creased keys for the Papal troops we're
not idle under Plus TX, who, before enter
ars on the religious career which was
crowned by the tiara, was himself DASH
ing dragon. Led by Gen. Durando' tho
poptifical soldiers behaved with great
valor against the Austrians at Curtatone
and in other hotly contested engagements
during that short and glorious campaign,
when for a moment it seemed as II the in
dependence and unity Of Italy might he
achieved with one great effort by the Italians
themselves.
Hence II is not quite fair that in the
popular songs and tales Of the peninsula the
Papal soldiery are always the butt for
ridicule, ae for instance, in one of the Tuscan
nursery songs. in which the ditty nuns that
a lazy person IL like the Papal soldiery.
needing a hundred 70 dig up one turnip
After Plus ks roho face nothing but de-
feat or inglorious victories awaited the
Papal arms, so that when the troops OF the
Holy See surrendered and were disbsndcd
in 1870 the great traditions OF rast ages
were already obscured and forgotten.
Despite the law Of guarantees, which
stipulated that the Pope should be allowed
TO retain a portion Of his soldiers. the old
Papal regular army has not a single repre-
sentative among the various armed corps
now in the Vatican Infantry OF the line.
sharpshooters, zouaves. all the practical
elements Of the pontifcal army have been