18 MARCH 1899, Page 2

We note with satisfaction that the Figaro this week prints

an account of an interview between the Pope and M. Boyer d'Agen in regard to the Dreyfus case, in which the Pope is reported to have said :—" Let no one hope to make a religions matter of this party business. Our religion has already consecrated by silence and resignation the just cause

of several millions of martyrs. Happy the victim whom God recognises just enough to assimilate his cause with that of His own sacrificed Son. What boots it, indeed, to know his name? Our martyrologies are fall." These are words with the sentiment of which all just men will agree ; but the Pope should go further, and explicitly condemn those Bishops and high ecclesiastics who sanction and encourage publications such as the school-book from which we quoted last week. Such vile attacks on a whole race, and a race already in danger from mob violence and mob prejudice, should surely receive the sternest censure from one whose nature is so noble, so gentle, and so free from the vices of cruelty and passion as Leo XLIL