IN many respects, this has been a remarkable year for Europe. In the physical world the season started out very promisingly; but in many places the high hopes of a bountiful harvest were blasted by unusually heavy late frosts. This disaster was quickly followed by a general and severe drought; thousands of cattle were sold at less than one-fifth the usual value.
The social and industrial world have been even more disturbed. Long-continued coal miners’ strikes in England and on the Continent reached such a pass that the national governments had to interfere. During the first part of the year, the German Army Bill held the attention of all Europe; then the commercial treaty between France and Switzerland, and later that between Germany and Russia, gave rise to many unpleasant experiences, and led to commercial wars.
After a long and doubtful discussion, the military bill which increased the German army was barely passed; and scarce was this struggle over when the remarkable demonstration between Russia and France took place, making the insecurity of Germany seem more apparent than ever. And while at present struggling with the financial problem of how to support the present army, Germany is brought face to face with the hard question of another increase in her military forces. The empire is full of malcontents. The burden is already too heavy. Social Democrats and Anarchists are increasing, and the great question is, How can these elements be tamed and corrected?
Recently the synod of the national church met at Hannover. Emperor William was there a portion of the time, and gave audience to a committee from the synod. To this committee he expressed the belief that the attacks of the Anarchists on existing institutions could be combated only by the church, and expressed the hope that the State church would stand by him in this sense. Thus the history of the fourth century is very plainly repeating itself.163
Just now the German Empire is occupied with the repeal of the law of ’72 excluding foreign Jesuits. Last week the Reichstag took action on the question, and decided by a vote of 173 against 136 to repeal the law, and thus open the country once more to the Jesuits. This action is not final; it must yet pass the Imperial Council; but the probabilities are that it will pass. The feelings of the emperor, as expressed at Hannover, reveal the reason why.
The long-continued crisis of Italy is not yet ended. Last week a new cabinet was reported, but scarce was the news out when its fall was announced. Military expenses present the great obstacle so difficult to surmount. It seems almost impossible to do otherwise than lessen the army, but this the Triple Alliance will not suffer.
All these perplexities are the opportunity of the Papacy. While professing to be the only one capable of restoring peace, the pope is really encouraging some of the troublesome factors. It is generally believed that the pope is at the bottom of the recent Franco-Russian demonstration, his object being to weaken the Triple Alliance. He has by no means given up his long-cherished hope of temporal sovereignty.
Not long ago he gave audience to a deputation of one hundred, who presented to him a gold cross set with jewels. In the pope's remarks to the deputation are the following words: "May this cross be a witness of our never-faltering zeal to regain our freedom and independence. However great the number of our enemies may be, they can do nothing against the foundation stone on which the scepter of the Cæsars was dashed to pieces. The church will triumph through her martyrdom and patience." At the present rate of development the Papacy will not have long to wait to see the accomplishment of her long-cherished hope. On all hands she is gaining ground.
Affairs in Russia have also been on the steady march towards contributing their part of the last-day troubles. In consequence of the commercial war with Germany, the price of coal in Russia has been increased 70 per cent, making it impossible for factories to continue business. In addition to this the country has by no means recovered from the effects of the great famine, in consequence of which, in 47 governments, the farmers owe to the crown 183,619,723 rubles, and 16,000,000 quarts of grain. To this must be added unpaid taxes, which continue to accumulate. For the first time in three years the people had a fair harvest, and now they must sell their products at about half price, as exportation to Germany is closed. There is little hope for the farmers unless the government cancels a part of their debt and unpaid taxes.
These are but a few jottings of the many facts which one sees in Europe to-day. As stated at the beginning, this has been a most remarkable year for this part of the globe. Should matters continue in the same direction and at the same speed, who knows what another day may bring forth? Professor Palmieri, of the observatory on the side of Mt. Vesuvius, who has observed the volcano for forty years, believes that we may soon look for another remarkable eruption, perhaps in the year 1894. What he expects of Vesuvius we may expect of the nations; all things seem to be ready, except the sealing of the servants of God, and as soon as that shall have been accomplished, we may look for the great eruption. All these gathering elements of uncertainty, which cause men's hearts to fail them for fear of what is coming, cause the child of God to lift up his head and rejoice, for he knows by them that the great and glorious event, the appearing of the Son of Man, is at hand.