THE CRISIS IN FRANCE by Editor

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jun 14, 1877

THE CRISIS IN FRANCE.

By Editor

Two months ago the following news was received by telegraph from Europe: “The extreme section of the Ultramontanes are at this moment enlisting adherents to create a Roman question. Various Jesuits, bearing instructions from Father Beckx, General of the Jesuits, have arrived at the Vatican from Florence. Father Beckx warmly counsels the project. Beckx and his adherents promise little short of a speedy re-establishment of the temporal power of the pope.

“There is no doubt that steps in this direction have long been preparing. The Catholic societies in Austria and Germany have pledged themselves to co-operate. One essential feature of the plan is that the next conclave is to be held in Rome, so that the new pope may be proclaimed a prisoner, like Pius IX. Cardinal Simeoni approves and supports the plan, and the pope has himself written letters to the Emperor of Austria, the King of Belgium, President McMahon, and ex-Queen Isabella. A series of express instructions have been issued from the Vatican to avoid collision with civil authorities, but at the same time, to keep up a pressure on the Catholic powers, to obtain their adhesion to a crusade for the resuscitation of the Roman question. The Vatican has obtained lists of volunteers prepared to serve under the Papal flag, and large sums of money have already been deposited in France and England.”

We believe that this explains the news of a fortnight ago, which filled all the cabinets of Europe with consternation and dismay—the ministerial crisis in France. The action of President McMahon in removing his ministers, notwithstanding they were supported by the Assembly, and in organizing a reactionary cabinet, is justly regarded as a step hostile to republicanism and favorable to the schemes of papacy. It seems to suggest an alliance, if McMahon can sustain himself in his course, between France and Spain, and perhaps Austria, to restore the temporal power of the pope. Meanwhile Bismarck has been suddenly recalled from his retirement to Berlin. Against such a coalition, Italy will have the active support of Germany, and as the pope and his partisans espouse the cause of Turkey, it is likely that Italy, Germany, and Russia will in such an event unite their forces. It seems as if the great day of Armageddon might be nearer than we thought. But is it possible that in such a conflict England will be found joined in a “Holy Alliance” with the Papacy and the Turk?—The Christian Statesman.