The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1906-11-24
VIEWS OF THE NEW YORK SUN

fore it takes steps to protect itself?
VIEWS OF THE NEW YORK SUN.
The following is the New York Suns
view of Plus X, and the manner. In
which he has met the problems that
have come before him for solution:
Since the Patriarch Of Venice became
Pope under the name of Plus x. many
difficult problems have been pressed
upon his attention which, unlike his
predecessor, he was not qualified by
long experience in diplomacy and state
craft to solve. What was to be the
relation of the Papacy to the civil
power during his pontlhcate. not only
III such storm centers as Italy and
France, but also in Germany and Rus
STA, and even in Spain? To none of
these problems has a. definite solution
yet been found, but it, must be ac-
knowledged that in mora than one
instance the interests Of Catholicism
have been upheld with sagacity and
skill, and that Plus x. has thus far
succeeded In avoiding in any country
Il bitter war with the civil authorities
such as was waged between Leo XIII
and Bismarck,
In Italy 1t is manifest that the rela-
tions of the Vatican and the Quirinal
are more amicable than they have ever
previously been since the loss Of the
Pope's temporal power Plus X. has
not. indeed, revoked the mandate by
which faithful Catholics were forbid
den to take part in parliamentary cleo
tons, but he has suspended it sporadic
cally by leaving it's enforcement op-
tional with the Bishop in each diocese.
1t is we'll known that the effect Of the
suspension has been to strengthen MA
terially the Conservative party in tho
is reason to believe that still more
marked recoil from socialism will be
witnessed on the next appeal to tho
electors. There is no doubt that tho
royal government would welcome an
intimation of willingness to accept
the subvention allotted to the Pope by
the Italian parliament some thirty Ave
years ago, together with the arrears,
which now amount with interest to
tens Of millions of dollars. 1t is true
that Plus x. has given no such init
nation and still depends for support
on the voluntary contributions Of faith
full Catholics: but he must see with
satisfaction the striking change in the
attitude Of the civil power, which, for
merly hostile, has now become con-
cilatory and friendly.
In France, too, the same method of
proceeding suaviter In n1odo, fortiter in
re has averted collisions that might
have caused a civil war, for, although
refusing with frmness to sanction the
cultural associations prescribed by the
Separation act, the Pope has carefully
refrained from any provocative word
or act, and has given the Radicals and
Socialists no excuse for the exhibition
OF anti-clerical rancor. The result has
been that the Clemenceau cabinet has
put the most liberal construction pos
sible on the text of the Separation act
and has announced that Catholics will
be at liberty to worship in the churches
for a year from December IL: and al
though other church property will be
taken possession Of by the government
on the date named, it has been limited
that this might be transferred by a
ministerial decree to cultural associa-
tions, should such be formed during
the coming twelvemonth. The spirit
of forbearance thus evinced by the civil
power is obviously response to the
| calm and gentle, though unwavering
tenor Of the Popes encyclical to tho
French Bishops.
In Spain also a Pope who had no
training i'll diplomacy and statesman
ship is showing the virtue Of the soft
answer that turneth away wrath. The
Dominguex cabinet, which represents
coalition Of Liberals and Constitu-
tional Democrats, is following to GER
tain extent the example set by the
anti Clericals in France. But although
it is resolved upon the Introduction Of
civil marriages and upon subjecting to