The Pope, as we mentioned last week, has finally declined
to receive Cardinal Hohenlohe as Ambassador from the German Empire, and it was expected that Prince Bismarck would retort by breaking off all communication with the Vatican. He has, however, taken another coarse. In a speech to the German Parliament delivered on the 14th inst. he told the Members that no proceeding so discourteous had happened to him during twenty- one years, but that he should in the interest of the Catholic popu- lation nominate another Envoy. On the other band, he should propose a law securing to every subject of the Empire absolute liberty of conscience, that is, we imagine, depriving excommunica- tion of all civil or pecuniary effects. The House agreed to his view and voted the salary of a Minister in Rome, and on 16th inst. voted also a Resolution on behalf of a Bill for the better control of the religious corporations. Their rules are to be invalid till countersigned by the State, which also, as we understand the telegram, will sanction the admission of new members. A special clause, not described, is levelled against the Society of Jesus, and the Government is enabled to punish the fraternities "for any action which may be dangerous to the State."
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