In the Lower House of the Prussian Diet, on Tuesday,
Herr von Bethmann Hollweg spoke of Prussian relations with the Vatican. He reminded his hearers how the Pope's letter to Cardinal Fischer had shaken the understanding that Univer- sity teachers were to be dispensed from the oaths against Modernism. The Prussian Government had thereupon pointed out that if conflicts with Prussia occurred, the blame would rest entirely with the Vatican. The Vatican, he went on, according to the report in the Times, had replied that it did not seek disputes, but also did not expect them. On February 10th Cardinal Merry del Val had written from the Vatican to Cardinal Kopp, and Herr von Bethmann Hollweg considered that that letter was intended to prove that Prussian representations to the Vatican had been without effect. " This " said he, " is not calculated to restore normal conditions." The Prussian Government did not propose to suppress the Roman Catholic Faculties in the Universities, or to suppress the Prussian Legation at the Vatican. But they would be compelled to prevent priests who had taken the oath against Modernism from teaching certain subjects in the Secondary schools. Altogether, Herr von Bethmann Hollweg made it clear that the Vatican has created an unnecessary friction between Church and State in Prussia, and that if the policy were pressed further the Prussian Minister at the Vatican might be recalled. We cannot help adding our opinion that the Pope, ever since the provocative Borromeo Encyclical, ten mouths ago, has been trying the patience of Germany, with deplorable results.
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