20 FEBRUARY 1886, Page 2

Prince Bismarck has again acknowledged that Rome is too strong

for the only weapons he can use against her. He has introduced into the Prussian Parliament a Bill repealing the most arbitrary clauses of the Falk Laws, in particular authorising the re-establishment of seminaries for priests, restoring the disciplinary rights of the Bishops over the parochial clergy, and generally transferring all powers of supervision over Catholic affairs to the Ministry, which will let them alone. It is understood that the Vatican, though still dis- approving what remains of State control, accepts these terms, and

that the political unity of the Catholics in Germany will be broken. That is doubtful, as Catholics, like everybody else, are pleased to hold the balance of power ; but it will undoubtedly be weakened.