NOTES AND COMMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 10009, 21 December 1895, Page 4

NOTES AND COMMENTS.

In looking for the noxb Pope tliora ia (say.i a writer in an American magazine) one vory important fact bo bo (juidoJ by, With three or four exceptions, the member* of the Sicrod College are of Loo's creation, and, presumably, in a general sense admirora of his policy. The prolate whom ho designs by word or distinction will have tho sympathies of the doctors. Among the prominent p»pabilities Cardinal Rampolla, the Pope's Sec relary of State, is a finished diplomatist, bub if lie possesses other qualifications they are nob generally known ; tho elder Vannutolli, at ono time Pope Leo's apparent choice, has ceased to be the prominent tiguro ho was ; Cardinal P.irocchie, the Vicar-Gonoral of Home, is learned, liberal, and onorgetic, and would seem to realise the motto of the apocryphal prophecy, ignis aniens ("glowing lire")—which is to ba tho characteristic of tho coming pontiff. A prominent figure on the pap il horizon too, is Archbishop Satolli. He has occupied turo of tho most important positions in tho Eternal City, as lecturor at the Propaganda and as rector of the Accado-

mia where tho Church dipt'omatsaro trained. The two great questions of the future are tho social problem and the reunion of Christendom, and Archbishop Sntolli nan had unrivalled opportunities for the study of both, The cardinalate is within sight, and from tho cardinalate to the tiara i>) a short step with Mgr. Sabolli's qualifications.

According to an article in the Fortnightly Reviow, a very serious mistake appears to bo generally made regarding the present prospect of the Afghan alliance. It is sup posed that tho Shahzuda has returned from his visit to England full of flattering ideas of our national greatness, his bosom glowing with pride aroused by the honours which wore showered upon him nnd his suite, nnd his mind made up to report to his father, the Amir, the unqualified success of his visit. No greater error could bo fallen into. Tho Afghan prince returns to his father emptyhanded, disillusioned, disappointed. It is true that he was received with honours in excess ot the requirements of the ease, and that ho and his suite were " boomed " in a way that must, have been gratifying to their individual vanities ; but an Oriental ruler knows what pageants, compliments, and titles are worth, and tho return of Mr. T. A. Martin, his commercial agent, as "Sir Acquin Martin," will not compensate; the Amir for the political robuff which he has received. What tho British public has been allowed, and British statesmen have affected to regard as a friendly visit of ceremony, has, to the Amir, been an important political mission, which has failed, and whoso failure is more or less significant, because it represented (up to date) the final issue in a long struggle between tho Amir and the Government of India.

The excitcinont in America over the threatened war with England is beginning to subside, Even the jingoes are sobering down. The necessity for great caution and deliberation is forcing itself upon all classes in the country. Tho firmness of England and the unanimity of opinion in that country haro greatly impressed Americans, who arc also chagrined and surprised at Europe supporting Lord Salisbury. It is now reported that tho lattor consulted the Powers with regard to the applicability of the Monroe doctrine to the Venezuelan dispute bcfoio sending his reply to the United States 'Government, Many commercial men in Now York condemn tho President's action, which has already caused great loss and put a stop to all financial enterprise,