UNAIDED BY PEACE OR WAR.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume IV, Issue 192, 1 December 1876, Page 11

UNAIDED BY PEACE OR WAR.

Notwithstanding the more pacific tone of news from Europe, we consider it still rather doubtful as to whether or not the war in Turkey will kindle a general conflagration. Although the proposals made by Russia to the Porte seem far from unreasonable, if we understand them aright, we are told that preparations are being carried on busily at Woolwich and Portsmouth, and that the Q-overnment of the Czar has forbidden the export of horses for the time being and is mobilizing army corps. Considering that Christians far outnumber Mahommedans in the provinces concerned, even had no other circumstance recommended it, it might plainly appear desirable that their Governor should be of the faith of the majority ; but recent events have shown that such a desideratum has become an indispensabla necessity, and that, however matters are ultimately determined, the people who have suffered so deeply from Turkish excesses, must never again be left helpless in the power of their tyrants. It will be requisite for the honour of Europe that a protectorate of some effectual kind shall be established over them, and the proposals of Russia appear to extend no further. It remains to be seen, however, whether the proposals of Russia, and the reported professions of the Emperor, are sincere, for let Muscovites be taken individually or collectively, as a Government or as a people, there is not another nation upon the face of the globe, perhaps, that bears with more justice a greater reputation for falsehood and all manner of deceit, than they do. It may be true that, notwithstanding tlie seeming moderation of their demands, the Government of the Czar keeps in the back ground a programme for the regulation of affairs, that is of more sinister aspect than the mild suggestions referred to j and the activity, which we are told prevails in the dockyards and arsenals of England, would seem to evince a suspicion of some such matter on the part of the Euglish Ministry. A Conference has, however, been accepted by the Porte, and it may be that, after all, matters will, for the time, be pacifically arranged, and the nations of Europe may again subside into that quiescent state of armed suspicion that has of late characterised Christendom.

We are naturally much interested in watching the progress, or rather the vacillations of affairs ; and the man must indeed be void of emotional powers who could, unmoved by curiosity or admiration, contemplate the situation. But while we regard with intense interest the phenomena of Russian enthusiasm and Turkish fanaticism, and look not without respect upon the determined attitude of the British Government, we perceive that that which is to us the chief of all objects on earth, the Catholic cause, has nothing either to gain or lose, however may turn the fortunes of the day. Whether the Turk, who is powerful only to shed innocent blood, or the Russian, who vies with him in this, and bids

fair to become the greatest force in Europe, reigns at Constantinople, or whether it is fortunately so arranged as to establish there an unobjectionable rule, it cannot at present affect the position of the Catholic Church in Europe, and for this reason : no changes that are expected to take place there will avail to free her in any degree from the oppression to which she is subjected ; while, unless in isolated localities, they are not likely to make persecution advance with more rapid strides than ib is now doing. For that it is advancing is very certain ; those who are pressing it on are not disposed to relax in their efforts, and that they.grow in wickedness and boldness has been proved beyond doubt by that diabolical plot lately discovered, which has for its end the setting 1 up of an anti-Pope on the death of the Holy Father, to which they look forward with breathless anxiety.

So far then as the temporal interests of the Church are concerned, neither peace nor war is likely to be attended with any effects -whatever ; and, therefore, in considering the matter, Catholics in the colonies must alone be actuated by their feelings as loyal subjects — supposing England to become a belligerent — and by that philanthropy which their religion teaches them to practise towards all men, whatever be their creed or country.