The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-06-19
G RMkNY AROUSED
AGAINST VATICAN
Country Wild With Protest Over
Pope's Recent dEncy-
clical.
pRoTEsTAnTs ARE ABLAzE
Political Situation Throughout
Europe Is Strangely
Topsyturvy.
.PRoTEsTAMTs ARE ABLAzE
Political Situation Throughout
by WILLIAM II. STEAD.

Especial Cable to The Times Dispatchl
Munich June 1S.-The political sit
uation in Europe is Strangely topsy-
turvy. Every one seems to be playing
his opponents game.
In Egypt the extreme Nationalist
by their violence have weakened tho
British Liberals in their effort to re-
/ sist the reactionary and arbitrary
ceunsels of Mr.. Roosevelt. In Russia
the efforts of outsiders to help Fin
land precipitated the hurried passage
of bill asserting Russian predomi-
nance. In England the Lords have
played into the Radicals hands by re-
jecting the budget.
But the most striking instance OF
all is supplied by the action OF the
Pope and its reaction on German poll
ties. Germany to-day Is humming
from end to end with protests against
lne Pope's encyclical on Charles Bor-
romeo on account of its naive re-
statement of the conventional Cath
Ollie view of the Reformation. The
Libegals are in ecstasies over this un
expected bolt from the blue in their
favor. OF late Clerical conservatism
had seemed as II it were certain to
achieve great victory at the next
election. In Germany the Catholics
have made much Roadway, thanks
largely to the zeal and intelligence
with which their bishops and priests
have helped the cause of social re-
form. They are the largest group in
the Reichstag, and their growing as
cendancy was watched with uncon-
cealed alarm by the Liberals of all
shades.
The Situation Changed.
But the PODe's encyClicaI has reyo-
lutionized the situation. Plus X. in his
Charles Borromee encyclical deemed
it wise and prudent to heighten the
tribute paid to the saint by contrast
ing his work with that OF the Protest
ant reformers, who were discussed as
being responsible for corruption of
morals and perversion of discipline
which could hardly be paralleled in
the worst days of the Middle Ages.
The Vatican merely repeated the
commonplace of the ordinary Cath
Ollie priest. never dreaming what a
storm he was bringing about its ears.
or what a DANA ging blow he was deal
ing the Catholic party in Germany.
To say almost in so many words that
the reformers brought forth the works
of the devil may pass unquestioned in
the pulpit. But when such wounding
words are flung In the face of the chill
dren of reformers who occupy tho
greatest thrones in Christendom, who
have ministers accredited to the Holy
See. It is different matter.
The whole of Protestant Germany
Is in a blaze. and the Liberal party.
through its press. most diligently fans
the fire The Clerical organs are
cowed and the apologize paragraphs
from dispatches just published de-
scribing the communications which
mas hot TUE ba
Prussian government afford intense
satisfaction TO the Liberals and cor
responding chagrin to the Clericals.
Big Stick for the Vatican.
The Prussian minister appears to
have addressed the Vatican in the Big
Stick style of Roosevelt.
you have nsulted tho King,
princes and people of Protestant Ger
many. Please explain why you are
lighting up the flames OF a religious
conflict. We hold you responsible for
the consequences. and you must order
your bishops to forbid the reading OF
the encyclical in German pulpits."
Never was a successor OF Hildebrand
addressed so haughtily and never did
a supreme pontiff take It meeklier. 1t
Is unfortunate the Pope should have
issued the encyc,ical.
The English government Is endeav-
OflpS TO remove from the royal decla-
ration the harsh and wounding words
by which every King on his accession
must declare the most cherished tenets
OF the Church of Rome to be super
stitious and idolatrous.
The old Protestants guard had
sounded the alarm, but the defeat
was regarded as certain. When the
full bearing of the papal encyclical
il expounded on platform and pulpit
the difficulties in the way of striking
out these offensive words may easily
become insuperable II so, King
George viii be compelled, much
against his will, to declare that the
Roman doctrines are idolatrous and
superstitious. and all because the Pope
could not resist the temptation OF
ainging reproac hes at reformers.