New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-05-28
4 New Pope-King in Palestine
Blu HHtoricus

y
Both William II and the late Archduke
Francis Ferdinand have been credited with
the ambition Of being crowned one DAY
at Rome with Charlemagne's diadem as Em-
peror Of the Central European world en-
pire. The same sources added that the no.
henzollern as we'll as the Hapsburg prince
had promised Plus X for his eventual ser
vices as coronation marshal the reestaoiish-
ment Of the temporal power OF the ropes
The assassination Of the Austrian heir-appar-
emit and the death Of the late occupant OF the
Holy See are not yet completely cleared up
Ru, howcver this may be, so much is GER
tain. that one Of the knottiest problems
which will sooner or later be submitted to the
combined craftsmanship Of the diplomats and
parliamentary leaders Of the fifteen warning
nations will turn about the final fate Of the
Vatican.
This momentous and perplexing question
will no doubt be thrown upon the green
table. either by Austria or Germany, or by
both. if for no other reason than to embar-
rass Catholic Italy, Uncle Sam, with his 20
TO % per cent of "Popery," and John Bull
with his two Roman and semi-Roman an
nexes, Ireland and Canada.
In YOUR issue of April 80 last ("Austria
and the Vatican') certain aspects of the
rroblem we're treated from "the particular
standpoint" Of the Hapsburg monarchy. May
| be permitted to-day to supplement that
lucid statement by the anonymous french
Catholic with the setting forth of few
salient facts and arguments as they present
themselves to the Italian mind?
The yatican's Difficulties
Mario Falco, in his lecture on the subject
before the Peoples University of Turin lie
Prerogative della Santa Sede IA Guerra
"The Prerogatives of the Holy See and the
Wary. explains, with a rare openness OF
mind. the peculiarly difficult and delicate po-
sition in which the Vatican finds itself since
August. 1914. The Italian and Papal states
men Of 1870 responsible for the text still in
force Of the so-called Laws of Guarantees were
evidently afraid at that critical time TO add
70 the difficulties of the situation by looking
at the question from the angle of the posi-
bilitv OF a European war with Italy as one
Of its participants.
Leo XIII. however, the immediate success
sor to the last Pope-King, Plus TX, never
ceased being haunted by that frlghtful event,
uality. and in March, 1888, his Secretary oil
State, Cardinal Rampolla, instructed Cardinal
GaIimberti. then Papal Ambassador Extraor'
binary at the Court Of Berlin, to lay dis
creetIy the whole question before Prince Bis
marck and DR.. Windthorst, the then leader
Of the Catholic Centre in the German Reich
stag.
IIpon Galimberti's question whether IN the
case OF war the Pope should continue to stay
in Rome. Windthorst wildly retorted: Most
certainly. and both the Pope and his Col
leye of Cardinals must be ready eventually
70 die in their shoes" A year later, when
the relations between Italy and Austria were
near the breaking point, Leo XIII seriously
thought Of leaving Rome in spite OF the wise
counsels of the respected lay chief of the
German Catholics.
Well. to make long story short, it is pre-.
ciselv two years since Italy has separated
herself from the quondam Triple Alliance, and
the Pope and his court continue to reside IN
complete safety in their Roman palaces. But
that does not mean that the Vatican even
now considers the Papal question as DEN
nitely solved and the learned Swiss jesuit,
Father Ehrle, former chief librarian OF the
Vatican Library, had no doubt the express
permission of the Pope when he recently re-
opened the case in the famous clerical organ
"Die Simmer der Zeit."
After a thorough discussion OF the situa-
tion on all possible angles, Father Ehrle's
ceterum censeo is the reestsbishment OF the
temporal power of the Popes, with small
autonomous territory, embracing that IN
conspicuous corner OF Rome west OF the
Aurelian wall. which even now is almost en-
tirely occupied by Papal property"
Robert Bachem, one of the present Cath
clio leaders in the German Reichstag, is less
modest than the Swiss monk; he is anxious
n include in the future patrimony OF 81.
pa.er all the embassies accredited TO the
Vatican.
Other well-wishers Of the Papacy go even
20 far as to ask, besides the cosey little raul
road station Of San Pietro, situated in the
close neighborhood Of the gardens Of the
Vatican. an outlet on the sea, be the port not
much larger than the dainty lace handker-
chiefs of the Roman bellies. SHOULD the SOW
ereien head of the Catholic Church, supreme
sniritual pastor of 20O,000,000 souls, residing
in all parts Of the globe, not have at least
the same freedom in his communications with
the outside world as his highness the prince
Of the liliputan village principally Of Mo-
naco"
Let Us now return 20 the representative OF
the enliehtened Italian bourgeoisie, the Turin
lecturer Falco. What has he 70 say about the
pretended lack of liberty Of the successor Of
ST. Peter?
According 20 the Laws Of Guarantees so
runs the statement of our authority, THE
Pope is not subjected to the laws Of the ltal-
ian state. His person is sacred and inyio-
liable He is. personally, absolutely free in
every one of his movements. The heaviest
penalties are inflicted upon the person who
Cocbyane's Secret