Year: 1874

THE RECENT PUBLICATION OF CORREsPoNDhNCE


RESPECTING THE GCUMENICL CoUNCII-BLUN-


DERs WHICH ARNIM CoMMITrED-INIRIGUE IN


FAVOR OF THE COUNT DE CHAMBoRD


IRON THE REGULAR CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRGBUSE.I


BERLIN, April SO-Gemany. which, during the
past three years has looked on while other people
cleared up thor diplomatic scandals. now has work
of that sort on her hands At any rate the Bis
marck- -Arnim controversy is assuming the dlmen-
sions of a public question. The German press are
full of dark paragraphs, hintlng at the fate which
awaits the ex-Embassador, now on his way to Ber-
lin; and the public waits expectant for fresh deyel-
opments, In the meantime / think l can give
YOU q pretty correct history of the whole affair.
Count Harry Won Arnm belongs to GeImanfamlly,
which thoroughly respectable is neither ancient nor
illustrious. BY the old aristocratc houses indeed
the Arnims called pdrrenues; but tins 1act OF III
sinuation if it be not based fact does not ex-
clude talent of a very high order as the state OF
Prussia has often had occasion TO learn. Count
Harry, if not the best known, is the ceverest OF
the family. He is man of great accomplish
ments, both natural and acquired, a profound
student of art, and writer OF eXceieht
taste. The opening Of the Ucumenlcal Council
gave him new field for his activity, and 1t was
known at the time that no other diplomatic agent
at the Vatican followed SO closely the proceedings of



made the nature ofihis reports to the Prussan Gov
ernment is now revealed. Count Won Arnim has
publicly denied having effected the publication OF
his two dispatches in the Pesse of Vienna. lie is
man of honor and his word is entitled TO re-
spect But it cannot be indscreet to say
that in spite of his denial, the German
Foreign Office is not convinced that the Presse did
not obtain the papers with his tact consent IL not
with his direct connivance. The assignable motive
withfthe ambassador would be desire to put him
self right on the record in view Of his recall from
Paris and at the same time to propitIate Austrian
friendship on his way the BOsphorus.


Count Won Arnim had plan, 1t seems TO prevent
the dogma of infallibility by active political inter
vention. He saw clearly that the Council as an
ecclesiastical legislature, was wholly in the power
of the Italian JeSuits, aud he saw, too, what
great many statesmen did not see, that the non
placets of the German, French and American bishops
would not have the slightest moral effect the
Council, and would not be maintained even by
those preates themselves without the active sup
port of the civil power. His recommendation
to the German, or rather the Prussian Government,
was therefore first to appoint an agent who should
demand the privilege OF being present at all sessions
of the Council and second, to make the resistance
of the Prussan and German bishops a State cause,
to be supported as SUCH Here was the draft of
distinct policy, which, ifadOpted, would have wholly
changed the relations of the European States to
the Council. 1t is but just TO Count Won
Arnm to say that many men who are In no special
sense his friends cOncede to him now a remarkably
clear view of the matter at the time, and even be-
lieve in view of the action which the State is now
taking toward the Church. that his advice was wise,
and ought to have been followed. He was certainly
correct in predicting that the German opposi-
ton TO infallibity would not stand without
the aid of the State. Whether the converse be true,
as he thought in 1870 and persists to-day. Is prob
lem which will never be solved. Prince Bismarck,
then only Count, declined to interfere with the
course of legislation at the Vatican. In two dis
patches which he has since published he set forth
his reasons for leaving things to take their own
course and testfes furthermore to the complete in
difference on the subject which then prevailed III
Prussia.


Prince Bismarck little later sent Count Won Ar
MIN to Paris. 1t is now sometimes sad that the
Chancellor does not like clever subordInates suf-
ficiently independent in temper to have wills OF
their own and sufficiently high in position to com
nete with his own fame Count Won Arnim supplied,
indeed many essentials of a good envoy for the cir
cumstances in which he was sent TO Paris His minds
in fact Gallo rather than TeutOnic he Is as have
said a gentleman of admirable manners, and long
residence in Rome had secured MN inc acqualnt-
ance of many old French Catholic families. His
selection was regarded at the time as in many re-
spects good one. There were not wanting others
who foresaw that the German Embassa-
dor at Paris would have thankless
office in onv case and that Won Arnm's restless
spirit would be sure TO bring him into trouble.
He first gave ohcnse, as seems to be admitted,
bv taking too active a part in French political In
trirues. A devoted ROyalist, he worked faithfully
for the overthrow of NJ Thers and the substitution
of NacMahon as q step toward Bourbon rcstora-
tion. The interference itself was an offense, but
an interference in favor Of Henri V. was
blunder If the secret correspondence between
Paris and Berlin be ever published, it will show
beyond doubt that Prince Bismarck has long been
dissatisfied with his ambassadors conduct, and that
his transfer was only question of time. When
the occasion came the blow fell. The elevation of
the Turkish Legation here to the rank of an
Embassy made necessary a similar change
in the German Legation at Constantinople;
and, instead of promoting Won Eichmann, the
Foreign Office decided TO send Won Arnim there.
This was in theory no disgrace, All embassies are
equal in rank, and only personal preference makes
Paris more desirable than Constantinople. But in
the case of Count Won Arnm it was understood to
be the first step toward his expulsion from the SER
vice: at least he seems to have resented it as such
He began the publication of letters, to which the
inspired organs of Prince Bismarck have replied,
and no one can say where the scandal will end.


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