Current Topics.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXVI, Issue 3, 20 May 1898, Page 1

Current Topics.

AT HOME AND ABROAD,

The statement made by Rev. W. Raunders of V. s. CAtnoLTCS Dunedin that the war between America and Spain AND SPAIN, was a religious one, was scarcely published when

news came that the Catholic bishops of the United States had instructed their clergy and flock to offer up daily prayers for the triumph of their country. The following words of Bishop Burke may be safely taken as indicating the course which Catholics will adopt throughout the war :—: —

" It has also been asserted that the Catholics of the United States would be adverse to war with Spain, and would refuse to fight against Spain because it is a Catholic country ; and against the Spaniards because they are Catholics. As Catholics we spurn such an assertion ; for, as Catholics, we love our country, and no matter whether the enemies of our country are Catholics, non-Catholics, or infidels, none would be more willing to take up arms against them and shed their blood than Catholics.

" War is a dreadful evil, but a3 a learned jurist, Lord Russell, said, addressing the bar at Saratoga, ' national dishonour is greater evil.' If, therefore, any nation should dare to attack our grand and glorious republic, or if any nation should wantonly insult our flag, every Catholic in the United States would be willing to take up arms to avenge his country, whether the aggressors were Catholics or of any other creed. Religion does not enter into the questions of patriotism and devotion to the country and flag."

We have already referred to the fact that reports which come to us from English-speaking residents

THE OTHER SIDE.

of Cuba give a very different complexion to the

relations which exist between the Spaniards and the Cuban insurgents. Chambers'' Journal furnishes another instance in point. The following ia from one who knows Cuba " from actual experience, and not from hearsay evidence " :—: — " The newspaper accounts, in which Cubans and Spaniards accuse each other of gross cruelty, should be accepted with as much

caution as the telegrams which read " victory " or " defeat," according as they emanate from Havana or New York.

" The writer cannot side with the Cuban insurgents ; nor with actual knowledge of their circumstances can he admit that they are seriously misgoverned or oppressed. The islands of Cuba and Porto Rico will, in ordinary circumstances, bear favourable comparison ai to prosperity with any in the West Indies, and the Government of Spain is certainly better than that of most if not all of the Spanish American republics. The real cause of the insurrection in his opinion is that political ferment which in the aforesaid republics produces continual revolutions, and which arises from personal ambition and strife for power. To the insurrectionists the party in power are always tyrants, while the latter consider their enemies as rebels ; it is only a question of intrigue and not of principle. As the Cubans are striving for independence, much more Bentiment is evolved, although the advantages to be obtained from such indepen* dence are quite illusory.

" Long residence in various countries of Latin America renders almost inevitable the belief that if Cuba ever obtains her independence she will be one of the most revolution-stricken of American republics. It requires no gift of prophecy to say this, for it can be seen in the neighbouring republic of San Domingo, which in every respect has been more favoured by nature than Cuba. She lies in the same latitude, has the richest soil in the West Indies, is watered by numerous rivers (some of them partially navigable), has abundant mineral wealth and many fine harbours, and is extremely favourably situated for trade both with the United States and Europe ; the island is also nearer to Spain than Cuba is. San Domingo was the first part of the New World to be settled by Europeans. She has therefore had every possible advantage in the race for wealth, but since achieving her independence she has drifted steadily backwards. The country is soarcely developed ; the tide of emigration has swept past her to the neighbouring Spanish colonies, the consequence being that the white population is now much smaller. There are no large towns, and nearly the whole of the island is covered with thick forest. The oountry is a prey to almost continual revolutions, and there is no security for life and property # this indeed being the cause of the undeveloped state of the country, And this is what San Domingo has achieved by her independence,"

The Mount Lyell Standard of April 20, furnishes A noted miner, some interesting particulars of the career of the

noted miner, Mr. James Crotty, who recently bequeathed over £100,000 to the Archbishop of Melbourne for Church purposes.

Mr. Crotty was a County Clareman, educated at Trinity College, Dublin. Thence, in 1879 to the West Coast of Tasmania. The first miners to reach Mount Lyell were two Irishmen, Michael and William M'Donough. They and a man named Dixon were the original prospectors of the district. Crotty, travelling towards Strahan, met William M'Donough, and, learning that the party were in a particularly tight place, he gave them an order on the Strahan storekeeper for provisions or whatever else they might require Shortly afterwards he bought the party out on terms which both parties deemed fair. Crotty's first experiences at Mount Lyell were disheartening. He had to contend against fellow-miners, some of whom were more or less hostile to his plans. In his efforts to obtain capital to work the mine he met with continuous rebuffs. Nobody believed in the tight little island of Tasmania. Crotty, by sheer dint of grim energy and determination, kept things going. The troublesome partners retired ; a company was formed ; a few shares were sold to provide for the outlay of a thorough prospect. In June, 1886, the 85 acres which had been pegged off and vested in a trust consisting of James Crotty and James Henry, were found to be a peculiarly rich property. Crotty had faith in it, and the Government geologists report made it quite plain. Then came a rush to the hitherto neglected field.

A scheme was formed to jump Crotty's claim. Two men named Jones and Karlson were employed to do the work. They proceeded by night to the ground, finding their way over the rough surface by the aid of a candle in a bottle. Crotty saw the light ; suspecting mischief, took a loaded revolver ; headed the jumping party. The Mount Lyell Standard tells what followed :—: — " Moving forward, Crotty got to the peg just as Jones arrived there, with several pegs on his shoulder. He asked Jones — who was not a little surprised to find himself in company — what his business was, and what he was doing there at such an unseemly hour. He replied : ' I came to peg the ground.' " ' And why did you not come in daylight. This is a queer time to mark off a claim in a country like this».' " ' Oh, any time does 1' replied Jones. '• ' What ground do you intend to peg V " ' This ground.' " ' But you are trespassing. This is our groun<V " ' I came here to peg thiß ground, and I am going to do it,' the jumper cheekily said. " ' You oannot put a peg in this ground. " ' I'm going to do it.' " ' Very well ; I warn you before you do so, to say your prayers if your mother ever taught you any, for it will be your last peg.' " ' Why ?' " • Surely man, you are not so stupid.' Producing a revolver, ' Crotty continued : ' That ought to be snfficient caution. To be more explicit, do you want me to shoot you V " Jones dropped the pegs. After hearing Crotty's opinion of his character, and he having admitted that he was paid to do the dirty work, Jones went bask to] Bischoff, and swore an information against the prospector. The case was heard by Mr. Commissioner Crowther, of Strahan, the result being that the prospector was bound over to k<ep the peace for a year. Jones narrowly escaped finding a grave on Mt. Lyell." The mine proved t> Mr. Crotty a source of immense wealth, which, however, he did not long live to enjoy.

With the honourable exception of such men as FRUGAL Hamerton and others of his type, the French or people are seriously misunderstood by the average Frivolous ? globe-trotter. They are looked upon as given

over to mere gaiety and butterfly existence. British opinion of the French is formed on the authority of tourists who see little of France beyond Pans, and of Paris see nothing but the worst. Hence their description of French life as the French know it is simply a ridiculous libel. It is only in a modified sense that Paris is France. The backbone of the nation is in the country districts. It strength lies in the simplicity and frugality of its independent and hardworking peasantry. A late return from official Bources shows a steady increase in the savings bank investments. The amount standing to the credit of depositors in the French savings banks is £136,000,000, and no individual account is allowed to exceed £60.

These figures show a state of things not dreamed of by cheaptrippers. They reveal the wealth of the nation, and make it easy to understand how France was able to pay off the war indemnity which Germany believed would crush the country, and how, after such a chain of gold towards the Rhine frontier, France is on her feet again, cheerful in her position, and confident in her resources, and with the crowning star of religious belief stirring the masses strongly. Her elasticity and her recuperative powers are without parallel amongst the nations. And her strength could be doubled, her usefulness increased mightily, were she relieved from the debilitating influences which arise from the need to be always standing to arms for the protection of her frontier.

Some time ago we gave the history of the title CATHOLIC Ott '• Roman Catholic," which has been given to us by ROMAN English and Colonial law. The matter has been CATHOLIC, taken up by the Church Pi'or/rrsi, which objects to the title on the following grounds ;—

"(1) The Protestant origin anl implication of the expression 'Roman Catholic' ; as appliel to the whole Ciurch ; (2) its inexact and confusing character when so usel, in view of thj fact that the real Roman Catholic Church is the Catholic C'aurch at Rome, just as the New York Catholic Church is thi C itholiu Cliurch at New York ; (3) the fact that it is opposed to the v mnitnous usage of all the Fathers and Counoils of t'\e Church, an I of the lloin in Curia in all ages, and of all the saints and martyrs, so far a^ thuir extant writings and authentic biojrrap lies record ; (4) itt absence from, and contradiction to, all the oreeds, liturgies, rituals and Divine offices of every Rite of the Catholic Church, OocUental and Oriental, and espaoially those of the Latin Rit3 as followed by the Holy Roman Churoh, the mother and mistress of all the Churches ; (c) its

absence from the decrees of the Plenary Council of Baltimore which are the constitution of the American Church ; (6) the anxiety constantly displayed by the sectaries of various stripes to force this name upon the Church, for the furtherance and diffusion of their own errors, and the eager interpretation of it, as in the present instance, by th 3 Episcopalian separatists as a tacit recognition of their right to a share in the Catholic name ; and especially (7) the formal rejection of the name ' Roman Catholic ' by the Fathers of the Holy Ecumenical Synod of the Vatican as a dangerous innovation, calculated to foster heresy. The^e and other reasons have led us to revert to the designations of the Church of God sanctioned by its holy Scriptures and venerable Traditions and Heaven-delegated Pontiffs."

Just before the outbreak of hostilities it appeared the probable that Pope Leo XIII. would be accepted POPE as a mediator between America and Spain. An AS announcement to that effect was actually pubMBDIATOR. lished. Unfortunately it proved premature. It

is hardly to be doubted, however, that the Holy Father would take upon himself the duty of umpire should the parties request his good office. His function as ambassador of the Prince of Peace has been very well put by the Daily A'ews : "Throughout the ages, the idea of Rome, embodied now in the Empire, now in the Papacy, has stood, amid the conflicts and the distractions of the world, for unity and peace. The holy Roman Empire is no longer a living entity, and it is not through submission to the Pope of Rome that any re- union of Christendom is likely to come. But meanwhile the passion for unity which possesses the present Pope has taken a new development. The role he aspires to play in the modern world has been well described as that of Chief Justice of Christendom." And the Daily Chronicle has something in the same strain : " The subject of international arbitration has long held a prominent place in the heart and the head of Leo XIII., whose mind is cast in statesmanlike mould. Nor has the idea been merely a barren one. It bore fruit in the arbitration by the Pope between Germany and Spain in the dispute about the Caroline Islands, whioh had been discovered by Spain but had never been effectively occupied."

The idea of the Holy Father intervening in the interests of peace and harmony is resented by a seotion of American Protestants. It wa3 scouted and derided at a conference of Methodist ministers held recently at Albany. " These gentlemen," says, Bishop|Bu"rke in reply to their public manifesto, " should remember that Leo XIII. is the acknowledged spiritual head of 230 millions of Catholics throughout the world and of eight millions of people in the United States. When Germany, a non-Oatholio country, and which was the birthplace of Luther, founder of the Reformation and Protestantism, had a dispute with Spain in reference to the Samoan Islands, she real ily accepted the kind offices and mediation of the Holy Father. Through his wise ccounsels peace was established and the danger of war averted. The Holy Father does not desire to meddle in political matters in the United States, but he is the Vicar of Christ, the Prince of Peace, successor of St. Peter, and Father of all the faithful. As a true descendant of his devoted Master, he seeks above all things peace amongst Christian people and to prevent, if possible, the calamity of brother rising up against brother, and deluging the world with blood."

The cable messages received last week contained A QUESTION the following :—: — in " In the Hou3e of Commons the Colonial Secretary PARLIAMENT. (Mr. Chamberlain), replying to Mr. John Dillon, said that in the absence of information as to the recent sp^eoh of Lord Ranfurly at Dunedin on Orangeism he declined to institute inquiries." The last phase is somewhat puzzling, since the " absenca of information " could naturally be supposed to furnish the bast reason for inquiry. We notice that, thus far, no question has b3en asked in the British Parliament regarding those "errors" of Rome which, in his opinion, are •' contrary to reason and common sense." The question may, however, come. Meantime, p, cable message from Sydney states that "in view of Mr. Chamberlain's reply to a question in the House of Commons, Lord Ranfurly did not oare to say anything on the Orange matter." Had his Excellency displayed equal taut and reticence at Dunedin a very regrettable incident would have been avoided.

Mr. Gawne, of Dunedin (says the Southland Times of April 13, 1891), has just been on a visit to Invercargill to push business a little. Nob that it wants much c mvassing, for since he commenced the manufacture of his Worcestershire Sauce, the demand has kept pace with his capacity to supply it. He makes a really good thing, indistinguishable from the famous Lea and Perrin's, which he places upon one's table at a much lower price, and trusts to that to secure a steadily growing trade. Those who have not yet tried the colonial article should put their prejudice aside for a time and test the quest on with a bottle or two. — %*