Year: 1872

Germany.


Bismarck has played his game against the
Jesuits and won though not without fight
in the Reichstag. Ever since the "blood and
iron" Chancellor was thwarted in his scheme
of having Cardinal Hohenl0he as the repre-
sentative of Germany at the Vatican, he re-
solved to be even with the Jesuits whom he
regards as the real cause Of his favorite's re-
lection. At first he found it no easy matter to
carry his point. The Emperor did not wholly
agree with the newly created Prince in his
crusade against the members of the Society of
Jesus. His Majesty hesitated to enter even
where the Chancellor would boldly dash in


Bismarcks daring has ceased to be matter of
surprise. In war, in politics, or religion, it
matters little, for he plays his part boldly and
undisguisedly and ever with that determine
ton which distinguishes his whole public
career. 1t is questionable, however, if he
would have been able to reach success in
this late measure had he not been backed by
the Emperor, and it is more than probable
that the Emperor would not have sanctioned
Bismarck S arbitrary course towards the Jesuits
but for the collision between the Roman Catholic
Chaplain General OF the Army, Bishop Naues-
zanowski, and War Minister Won Room, about
the Panthaleon church in Cologne. This was
so manifestly breach of military discipline to
the old Kaiser's mind that he not only allowed
Bismarck to have full sway, but even favored
the arbitrary measures resolved upon against
the Jesuits The bill against the followers of
Loyola, as originally prepared by the Federal
Council, was referred back for amendment,
owing to the opposition Of Prussia in that
body, and in its amended shape was introduced
into the Reichstag, where it passed after
fierce fight. The debate on the question was
most intense, and the unmistakable language
used on the occasion shows how keenly the
different parties in the empire feel on the
subject. Deputies Malinckrode and Windherst
fought the ultramontane cause in the House
and denounced those who advocated the bill as
the instruments of Bismarck, who, they claimed,
wanted war, and h. should have ''war to the
knife Among those who strenuously upheld
the measure was Deputy Wagner, Bismarck's
friend. Notwithstanding the determined fight
made by the Catholic members the bill
passed, and the Jesuits are placed under
the surveillance Of the police. In another
part of to-day's paper we publish the sub
stance of the debate as forwarded to us by the
Berlin correspondent of the HERALD. Bismarck
in this fight has worsted his opponents; but it
is not at all improbable, now that he has fairly
outlawed the Jesuits, that they may become
worse more implacable and more energetic
workers against his schemes than ever. The
extraordinary vitality of the Society Of Jesus
finds a parallel only in the history Of the Jews.
Like the Israeites, the Jesuits. too, have been
driven from almost every European country;


but what does it avail in the long run? For
time the crusade is upheld, then relaxation
succeeds and the prosecuted ones regain
their former positions and work with greater
zeal. Having outlawed the Jesuits Bismarck
can go no further Where his battle ends
theirs begins afresh, if they desire to continue
the warfare. How it will terminate time alone
will reveal, and we doubt very much that the
religious difficulties in Germany will end with
the expulsion of the Jesuits from the empire