15 APRIL 1899, Page 2

The Vienna correspondent of the Tinies continues to call attention

to the influence which the religious movement among the Germans is exercising in Austria. The conversions to Protestantism are, he says, reawakening Catholic bigotry, for some time past asleep in the Empire.' The Bishops have met in conclave, and have admitted lay assessors of influence—an unprecedented step—and propose to request the Government to place all ecclesiastical funds at the disposal of the Episcopate—which it will not do—and to punish aberrant teachers under the Department of Education—which it will clo. The Catholic organs are assuming a much more bitter tone, and say that they will soon be forced to believe that the Evangelical Church in Austria is a centre "and rallying point for all the forces of political and religious treason." The great object apparently is to' rouse the suspicion of the Government, but the Bishops are also prepared to write and circulate con- troversial leaflets.