THE POPE AND CHINA

New Zealand Tablet, 7 November 1918, Page 23

THE POPE AND CHINA

Anti-Papal sections of our Daily Press have of late been raising a storm of the China- tea-cup variety against the Vatican (says an Exchange). When on that kind of purpose bent our contemporaries are not fastidious in their choice of pretexts. In the present case some journals have been glad to seize on the protest issued by the Government of the French Republic to China anent the latter's project for full diplomatic intercourse with the Vatican. A Misleading Report. At first the "Daily Mail," in a Peking message coloured with the heading "A German Dodge," gave the public the impression that the French objection was aimed at the agreement itself, on the alleged ground of an existing treaty with France. Then the "Times" reported that China had herself objected to the person of the Nuncio, Mgr. Petrelli, selected by the Pope, alleging that'he was "an intimate friend of the German Foreign Minister, Von Hintze." It " pointed out. moreover, lest any should miss the desired moral, that the "reception" by China of Mgr. Petrelli "during the war would, owing to the attitude of the Vatican, show unfriendliness to the —China being practically one of them herself! But alas! for the storm and its Press Norma! The "Times"—and, in view of some former experiences. Ave were relieved to notice it—circulated the further interesting news that the Holy Father was making another nomination, and —in case of renewed objection—was quite willing to appoint- a French prelate for the post! Thus he gave tin- "coup de grace" to this silly business and exploded the fiction of "A German Dodge." The Aim of the Holy See. To any balanced mind, it should have been evident that the Papal negotiations in this as in other war-time efforts were wholly devoid of political motive, and simply aimed at forwarding purely religious and moral interests of Catholicism, of which the Holy See is the spiritual guardian in China as elsewhere. But our secularist "dailies." deeply absorbed in war, polities, and due anxiety about enemy agency at home, either cannot or will not realise an obvious fact revealed at every turn of the war. The case with France is clear in the light of recent history. In all religious or semi-religious questions, the threatening representatives of the Secret Sect stand dictating to politicians. The outbreak of war, it is true, did not favour sectarian tactics. There was the vital importance of preserving domestic concord; the dire need to acknowledge, employ, and honour the first-rate military and naval talent, to be found among staunchly Catholic officers like Foeh, Castelnau. and others; the high patriotism and valour displayed by bishops, priests, and religious whom sectarianism had oppressed. These and like considerations wisely warned the masonic brethren of the grave consequences to themselves that would result from attempted mischief. A Temptation Not to be Resisted. But a Papal-Chinese rapprochement ! —this seemed an outlet for hostility too tempting to be missed, while it suggested small risk of friction with nonCatholic Allied Governments. Here was a huge heathen nation coming under the influence of the Christian Chief—the very personification of Gambetta's '' ennemi ''! Then, again, certain French anticlericals have for long secretly chafed at the weakening of France's cherished protectorate of Eastern Catholicismone untoward effect of diplomatic rupture with the Holy See. And the newly started amity between the Celestials and the Pope seems to have determined jealous politicians upon baulking China, in dog-in-the-manger fashion, of an advantage they formerly possessed, but in their blind fury wilfully

threw away. Yet the Holy See, true to its conciliatory traditions, has requited insult with the pleasing offer —if need be—of a French Nuncio for China! Will the "Times" Learn? One might expect the chief Northcliffe organ and its satellites now at last to take home the lesson and cease carping senselessly at the "attitude of the Vatican during the war." There should be an end to discoursing, as if from esoteric knowledge denied to ordinary mortals, upon "pro-German influences." But it would be sanguine to look for such recovery of humble common-sense. That would not suit a traditional policy which appeals to- a sufficiently large and more than adequately gullible public, eager to swallow any foolish calumny against a Pope. Victory through Prayer. Truly, were it not for the large Catholic and sincerely Christian contribution' to the Allied Forces, now greatly increased by the U.S.A. army and navy, were it not for the Holy Sacrifices of the Catholic priesthood, the pleadings and penances of religious, the Holy Communions of children, and the prayers and patient sorrows of widows and 1 orphans of various creeds, one might see cause to fear lest unchristian or anti-christian acts should endanger the divine blessing to our arms. Battalions, fleets, "whippets," aircraft, and', high morale are determining factors of a human order. Yet there is a divine "Factor Omnium" who over-determines all. The muskets did literally "drop from the soldiers' hands" in 1812 despite the Corsican's vaunting sneer at "that old man's" excommunication. Our cause is, indeed, a righteous one— cause of the angels," as Bishop Keatinge has called it—a rarity, perhaps, among causes for which armies have striven. But just causes—as the Old Testament confirms— suffer through the unworthiness and perversity of their advocates. Which, however, in the present case, may God forbid!