Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-11-14

statute was passed September 10. 1901, and
requires all members of religious associa-
tons to register with the civil authorities
within six months under the penalty of
dissolution. 1t provides for sort of census
of monks and nuns not only as to the num-
bers, but as to the property held, the uses
to which it is put, the revenues received
therefrom and annual statements of eX-
penditures and investments is required.
The law is similar to that which recently
caused so much excitement in France, and
was intended to disclose the financial condi-
ton of the many thousand communities
which until then had been allowed to flour
ish undisturbed
Much TO the surprise of everybody the
queen regent signed the usual decree APP
proving the law and directing its enforce
ment. 1t is said to be the only act of her
entire reign that is in any way preJudicial
to the interest of the church, and her APP
prevail is said to have been given under
promise from Mr.. Sagasta that the govern
ment would accept pro forma returns from
the monks and not inquire too closely into
their accuracy. He is said also to have
promised that no further steps should be
taken against them. How much founda-
ton there may be for this popular impress
sion can never be known. for Mr.. Sagasta
is dead and the queen is not likely to make
a confession.
Forced by Public Sentiment.
7 his legislation was forced by public sem
timent. 1t followed a series of anti-cler1cal
demonstrations in Madrid, Barcelona and
elsewhere. Popular indignation and ex-
element had been aroused by what was
III own as the Uloa case. A young woman
naned Uloa who was he'll ess to several
millions of money, had been placed in
convent during her childhood by her
fer, but when she became of age and
it seemed advisable for her to return to
the world and marry, the nuns refused to
release her. The mother appealed to her
priest and bishop, who sustained the nuns,
and the case was taken into the courts,
which decided that the young woman, hav-
ing reached the years of discretion, should
have the privilege of deciding whether she
should remain in the convent or return to
her home. The mother was not allowed to
communicate with her, and when she was
brCr ght into court, accompanied by the
bishop and the superior of the convent, she
declared it to be her wish and intention to
ron ain in the convent, take the veil and
give her property to the sisterhood
This incident, which provoked an exciting
discussion in the newsp apers, was used as
a plot of a play called Electra" by Benito
Perez Galdos. brilliant young novelist and
dramatist who is called 1.-The Dickens of
Spain," and whose works are read more eX-
tersively than all the other Spanish authors
&C n.bined. The play was produced at one
of the theaters of Madrid 1t attracted
enormous crowds and created great
sensation, being the direct cause. of anti
clerical, anti-nunr cry riots, which were
queled with great difficulty by the police.
and resulted in considerable blOodShed. The
play vas suppressed and the theater was
closed, but it was published in full IN
several newspapers, thousands of copies
were sold on the streets, it was freely
quoted in the debates of the cortes, and
had a powerful influence in securing the
enactment of the law referred to.
Protest Against the Registration Act.
Mgr. Rinaldini, the papal nuncio, who
absant on leave during this excite
ment, returned to Madrid in hot haste and
protested against the enforcement of the
rcgistra ton act on tine ground that it was
in violation of the 'concordat," or treaty,
which exists between the government of
Spain and the holy see in that it placed
restriction upon the freedom of worship
and religious instruction. When he was in
formed that the law did not interfere with
worship or educational work by the monks
and nuns, and swaS directed only at the
il duStral and commercial enterprises of
the religious orders, he replied that the pro-
ceeds of such enterprises were expended
for religious and educational purposes.
Mr.. Sagasta referred the law to d commit
tee of the cortes for the purpose of secur-
ing a revision of the "concordat," and ne
GotiationS were opened with Rome. A prop
Csltion was submitted to the pope for
that the commercial and industrial enter
prises OF the monks and nuns may be made
subject to the same official supervision that
is applied to banks, insurance companies
and ordinary manufacturing corporations.
1t was also proposed that the enormous
salaries now paid from the public treasury
to the bishops and archbishops of Spain
be reduced. and that religious institutions
receiving subsidies be required to make
periodical reports of the expenditure of the
money.
There the negotiations stood when Leo
XIII died. and they have not been resumed
Nor is it expected that the present admins
trStion will revive them until another popu-
lar demonstration Compels some action 20
be taken.
Only about 1000 of the 10000 or more
monks and nuns in Spain obeyed the law
and they merely registered their names, ad-
dresses and vocations with the municipal
officials
The approaching parliamentary elections
will be fought largely upon this issue
The liberal party well as the republicans
are pledged to the policy formulated in the
Sagasta law, and whatever promises he
may have made to the queen that further
proceedings would not be taken are consid-
cred as released by his death.
Popular hostility to the monks and the
nuns Is manifested in many ways The
comic papers are filled with caricatures CT
a most contemptuous and often disgraceful
character, offensive and obscene nos al
cards sold on the streets. and at one of
the largest theateTs Riguelmi, the leading
low comedian of Spain appears every night
before enormous crowds in the character of
d comicaf, drunken monk. The author!ti ties
dare not suppress the play. and many peo-
pie believe they have no desire to do so
Gets Money From Mr.. Sage.