p. 208 | THE ARBITER OF EUROPE by Editor

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Mar 31, 1887

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 13, No. 13.

THE ARBITER OF EUROPE.

By Editor

It is stated upon the authority of the Journal des Debats that the Prussian minister at the Vatican has suggested that the Pope convene a European congress to settle the Eastern and Egyptian questions. "This," says the Catholic Mirror, "would be 'a consummation devoutly to be wished.'" Certainly all Catholics do devoutly wish for everything that will in any way tend to the restoration of the temporal power of the Papacy, and a congress of the kind proposed would be a long step in that direction.

There is certainly a growing disposition among the great powers of the earth to confer honor upon the Pope; and while there is not the slightest chance that the peace of Europe can be permanently preserved, stranger things have happened than that an effort be made to close forever the temple of Janus by making the Bishop of Rome arbiter, not only of Europe, but of the world.

It was only a few months ago that "his holiness" was called upon to decide the dispute between Germany and Spain relative to the Caroline Islands, and within a few weeks past he has meddled in German politics to the immense satisfaction not only of Prince Bismarck and Emperor William but of President Grevy as well. In close connection with this comes the proposition of Austria that the "holy father" should act as referee in the Bulgarian difficulty; and now to cap it all comes this proposition from Germany that he shall be acknowledged as the arbiter of Europe. Is not the world about to fall down at the feet of the Papacy and worship "the beast which had the wound by the sword and did live"?