The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1912-02-24
4 USTRIA's CHRISTIAN
SOCIALISTS

U VI I'll " VI III ~ I'M
SOCIALISTS
Attempts to Discredit Christian Socia-
lists OF Acknowledgements of
Austrian Crown Lands-NeW Menace
to Christian Socialists-New Motto
for voIksverein-ln Honour OF
Windthorst
The manner in which Socialism has
triumphed in the German elections
to have inspired emulation
in the breasts of the anti-clerical
party In Austria. The municipal
elections take place at the end of
April, and already there is evidence
that every weapon, even that of cal
jimmy, is to be used to defeat the
Christian Socialists in this important
contest. During the last days of the
late Monsignor Bavona, Papal Nuncio,
a man who in a brief space had won
the respect and admiration of all
ranks of society, an unworthy attack
was made upon him by Viennese
radical journal, which accused him of
various intrigues, all having for their
object the dissolution of the Triple
Alliance. These charges were not
made until the subject of them was
in extremis and, therefore, beyond the
possibility of refuting them. Now
that he is no more, the tale is elabor-
ated to suit political and party pur-
poses. Complaints arise on all sides
which have for their burden that the
Christian Socialists are trying to de-
stroy the Austrian relations with
Italy in order to reconquer the States
of the Church for the Pope The accu-
sation bears it's refutation on it's face
for the Christian Socialists could not
but be aware that, in the present
state of European relations between
the various powers, such an undertak-
ing would be hopeless. The accusa-
ton, and the slender support obtain
able for it such as the friendship
which appeared to exist between Mon
signor Bavona and Count Aeranthal
only go to prove that there is very
little to complain Of in the administra-
tive work of the Christian Socialists.
The Austrian Crown Lands.
An endeavour, by their enemies, to
suggest that they are mismanaging the
Crown Lands in Lower Austria has
also failed. The management of these
cannot but be regarded as exemplary
when the statistics are compared with
similar figures from other countries.
No other Crown Lands have such a
prosperous financial position, provide
so much for humanity and for educa-
tional purposes, or possess such a
wellpaid staff of officials and teachers
as the Austrian Crown Lands under
the administration of the Christian
Socialists. From all points, it appears
therefore as If their opponents will
have to put up very stiff fight to
GUST them from their present posi-
ton. Still the Catholic Party remem-
bers that before the German struggle
no one predicted the overwhelming
victory of the Reds which resulted,
even though that gain has been ef-
fected at greaterscost to Liberals and
Radicals. than to the Centre.
A Menace to Christian Socialists.
There is, however, one danger which
menaces the Christian Socialists, and
it is more to be feared because 1t
comes from within. This week the
presidents of several leading Catho-
lie societies, amongst which may be
mentioned the Catholic Volksbund,
the Catholic School Association, and
the Catholic Women's Organization,
waited on His Eminence the Prince
Bishop of Vienna, DR.. Nagl. They
begged his assistance and influence In
putting stop to the repeated attacks
on their organizations made in the
columns of a well-known Catholic
Sunday paper, which they declared
were multiplying their work and Great
ing an extremely difficult situation.
The Cardinal received them with the
utmost cordially, and discussed the
vexing question in detail. He in
formed the representatives that he
had repeatedly impressed upon the
publisher, Herr Director Mauss, the
desirability Of modifying the express
sfons used regarding the Catholic or
CARNATIONS and moderating the tone
Of his journal His Eminence request
ed the deputation to send him a writ
ten protest setting out fully matters
Of which they complained when he
would consider the whole question
with view to further action. The
affair is causing good deal of excite
ment, as the paper in question, being
a popular and powerful journal, 1t liz
feared that any further action may
result in an unfortunate split in the
Catholic ranks.
New Motto for voIksverein.
In Germany, the occasion of the