THE EASTERN QUESTION FROM A CATHOLIC VIEW-POINT.
With the latest massacres of Armenians by Turks as a text, a correspondent of the Catholic Mirror makes some statements of fact, and ventures some suggestions regarding the disposition of Turkey's nominal domain, that show a trend of possibilities in the line of future movements. On the point whether the Christian world will continue to look on and see Armenians treated as they have been by Mohammedan rule, he says: “The church can do nothing except through the governments. Of course, if the two hundred and thirty million Catholics would spring to arms they could stop the outrages to-morrow; but no sane man expects them to do it.” Then he goes on to suggest that selfishness may yet cause the nations to act in the matter, and to consider how they may become sufficiently harmonized to act in a manner satisfactory to all. The first proposition is to get the Alsace-Lorraine controversy settled, so that France and Germany may come to a permanent agreement. The suggestion for this is the autonomy of Alsace-Lorraine under an Austrian prince (Catholic of course), being still a part of Imperial Germany. This, it is contended, would satisfy the people of the long-disputed territory, and pave the way for French and German reconciliation. The Alsatian population is almost entirely Catholic, and strongly attached to Germany because of the Kaiser's friendliness to the Vatican, and because of the French Government's present attitude of hostility to the church. To this proposition is added the following statement of national desire as already indicated by the nations named:— Were France and Germany reconciled and allied, the quintuple concert for the division of Turkey would be almost inevitable, for it so happens that all are hankering after different things. Germany covets Syria and Mesopotamia; England wishes to make sure of the approaches to the Red Sea and the Persian Gulf; Italy wants Albania, Macedonia, and Tripoli; Austria would like to control Servia; France would no doubt be glad to take care of the Bosphorus, and of Asia Minor. This, the correspondent thinks would settle the Eastern question and “restore the cradle of Christianity [Palestine] to the control of the Christian nations.” It will be noted that Palestine comes in the German share, and that Germany already has a strong influence there—sufficient to give the Vatican considerable concession in Jerusalem. “The Emperor William never misses an opportunity of ingratiating himself with the Catholics.” But our principal point in referring to this correspondence in the Mirror is to give an indication of Catholic thought regarding the land of Palestine. Here is both the dream and the interpretation:— If Germany is to maintain her rank as a high power, she must acquire colonies of settlement, and she must acquire them soon. Her main hope seems to be centered in Syria and Mesopotamia, once rich and populous countries, which, through the restoration of the ancient irrigation systems, could easily be made to support many millions. So long as Russia has the support of France, Germany has no chance of getting a foothold in that coveted territory. Should, however, Germany and France become reconciled, the situation will be completely changed. By recognizing the spheres of England, France, Austria, and Italy, Germany could then obtain their recognition of Mesopotamia and Syria as her sphere of interest. As this is almost the only chance for Germany to assure her future greatness, it seems inconceivable that Emperor William would throw it away. On his former trip to Palestine he seems to have been pleased to assume the garb of a crusader. It seems natural to suppose that he would be still more pleased to become the instigator and leader of the great final crusade. Before the forces of five great powers, the Turkish armies would melt away in a few weeks. Most likely, the Sultan, to save some shadow of sovereignty, would surrender without a shot. The grandeur of the result would not be lessened by the fact that it was brought about by gross material motives. To draw good out of evil is the usual method of divine Providence. The extension of the Western civilization over the nearer East can not fail to promote the union between the eastern and western churches, so ardently9desired both by Pius X. and Leo XIII. All Armenia, as the writer was assured by eye-witnesses, remembers the action of the Catholic missionaries in opening their gates to Armenian fugitives at the time of the last massacres, while the gates of the Protestant mission houses remained barred. If the Armenians owe their final deliverance, even indirectly, to a government made possible by the initiative of German Catholics, their gratitude will aid to smooth the path to reunion. But the most tempting of all the visions remains yet to be told. If German troops occupy Syria, William II. will have it in his power to bestow the Holy Land to whomsoever he listeth. He seems to take no little pleasure in the title of the “Second Charlemagne” lately given him in the press. The support of the Center party having enabled him to assure Germany's future by the acquisition of a great colony, might he not be willing to reward them by offering to the vicar of Christ the sovereignty of the Holy Land? The question of the temporal power would then be solved in the happiest manner possible. The cradle of Christianity would once more become its center. The union between the eastern and western churches would become almost inevitable, and the time might not be far distant when there might not be but one shepherd and one flock. All of which is within the range of possibility; but the spiritual domination of the world by the Papacy is sure to come, for it is foretold by the “more sure word of prophecy.” And as Rome admits that “the church can do nothing except through the governments,” the governments will help her to this position of eminence as well as to whatever of temporal power may attach as an incidental. But, even if the Vatican should be established in Jerusalem, with all Palestine for a temporal dominion, the Papacy (spiritual Babylon) would still have to meet the prophecy of Revelation 17. The very powers that lead out in restoring her to universal spiritual dominion will eventually turn against her, and “make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire. For God hath put in their hearts to fulfil His will, and to agree, and give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled.”