Emperor William Visits Rome
WILLIAM II., the young German emperor, has made his contemplated visit to Rome and has been honored by both the King and the Pope. Contrary to the program announced some time since, William first paid his respects to King Humbert and later to Pope Leo. It is now asserted that "the desperate and almost undignified attempts of the prelates surrounding the Pope to extort a pledge that the visit of the youthful Kaiser was not to be regarded as an acknowledgment on his Majesty's part that Rome was the capital of United Italy, came to nothing, and the Emperor entered the Eternal City uncommitted in the present and uncompromised for the future upon the quarrel of the Vatican with the house of Savoy." It is stated, however, that Emperor William observed carefully all the hair-splitting etiquette, which the Vatican persists in demanding of those who visit the great infallible after having enjoyed the hospitality of the Quirinal, and that he "bent his knee to the Pope." In the interview between the Pope and Emperor William, the former emphasized the necessity of the restoration of the temporal power, and said that all sovereigns should unite to assure it. The Emperor replied that it would be more to the Pope's advantage to unite with those who represent the principles of order and social conservatism, and thereby better secure the peace of the world. Alluding to this interview, the Osservatore Romano, the Papal organ, says that it has not changed the position of affairs, and that Europe will never enjoy permanent peace until the temporal power of the Pope shall have been restored.