New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-02-01


Pobledonostsea the most reactionary figure in RI s.
sian polliics IS either in disgrace about TO retire
from his post q Procurator General OF the Holy
SYNOD. There Is doubt that during the hrsi
few wears after the accession Of Nicholas he oid
rot enjoy the sympathy OF his imperial master But
the Frperor has become much more devoted &c the
Orthodox Church. and much more fervent IN his
allegiance TO us doctrines. and this has increased
his regard for Pobedonostscr who continues 10
remain bis Procurator and alter ego. in the Holy
Synod Of Russia which is thus virtually controlled
nv the cd tutor % Alexander III
That the Procurator General Is higher IN favor
than ever Is shown by the fact that the Emperor
has Just conferred upon him. on the occasion OF
the Russian New Year the briilants 70 the star OF
the order Of ST Andrew. This is the highest dis
tinctIon that tire Gar has it IN his power to be-
stow and Pohiedonostsen is to-day the only Rus
sian not member OF the imperial family who Is
entitled to the star OF ST. Andrew in diamonds
Queen Christina % Spain has taken no part. either
direct OF indirect. in the unpopular appointment Of
Monsignor Nozsleda. the last Spanish Archbishop
OF Manila, 10 the wealthy and important arch
bishopric OF Valencia. which usually carries with
IT, within a certain length OF time. elevation to the
Sacred College as cardinal The Queen Mothers
responsibility in the matter has been officially re-
pudiated By the Premier. Senior Maura- who has
assumed the entire accountability for the nominal
ten.
no less than eighty Of the principal newspapers
In suaIn that have made his appointment the sub
iect Of personal attacks upon him. and has IN
trusted his legal interests in the matter TO SeAor
siIvela the Conservative chieftan and ex-PremieT,
who is likewise the recognized leader OF the
Spanish bar.
The Archbishop who Is a Dominican monk. and
the last Of those great ecclesiastical digntaries
who during the two hundred years rule OF Spain
in the Philippines exercised a far greater degree
OF power there than even the governors general.
who may be said 20 have held their Office the
pleasure OF the great digntaries % the Church in
the Islands. is held up 20 public obioquy because
after the fan OF Manila and the transfer OF the
Philippines TO the United States be. with tho in
teTests OF The Dominican order and OF the other
ngiOus orders CT Spain at heart. entered into
friendly relations with the American government
and its officials realizing that more favorable terms
could be obtained by smicaoIe negotiations than by
an aggressive sne hostile attitude
IL IS indeed. largely thanks 70 his behavior sn1 10
his dealings with Ex-Governor TAFT now Secretary
OF war al Washington. that the Spanish monastic
orders Ia the Philippines have obtained such very
favorable terms from the United States. This how
ever fact OF which sight IL lost by tie general
public tn Spain VINO profess to regard the Arch
bishop something akin TO a traitor for having
maintained friendly relations with the American
authorities after the fall of Manila. and for hav-
ing. so it is asserted. neglected the welfare Of
Spanish prisoners and Spanish subjects In the ISL
amos for the sake OF that OF the Dominican order
The agitation against the Archbishop. II may be
added. is fonaeuted in no small degree by the reg
ular Clergy IN Spain which does not relish the adj
vent from the Philippines C several thousand
Spanish monks. in order still further swell the
army OF thirteen thousand monks, two thousand
Jesuits and forty thousand and women mem
bers Of religious orders which are shown accord
ing to the last census. TO be established in Spain.
where. exempt from taxation and in great meas
he Law If 10 land hey n
sisi the offerings OF the faithful, who thus
turn into the of religious orders aims that
would otherwise 60 to the parish priest and 10 his
church