New-York tribune., 1906-09-25
FRANCE. SPAIN AND ROME.

The policy Of passive resistance which the
Roman Catholic hierarchy Of France has adopted
toward the law for civil supremacy over eccle-
siastical corporations is probably the wisest
one that could have been chosen, if there was
TO be any resistance at all. The violence which
was exercised few months ago proved vain
and protitless, and its continuation would surely
have been disastrous. In passive resistance the
Church will suffer great pecuniary losses. but
II will not come into conflict with the police
and its appeal on sentimental grounds for the
support OF its faithful members will be ma
terially strengthened. The policy of resistance,
o. Of non-acquesceuce in the law. will. how
ever, be widely regarded as III advised. It is
based upon TWO grounds. One is that the re-
public had no right to abrogate the COncordat
which is surely not tenabe. since the power
TO enter into treaty relations implies the cor
responding power to withdraw therefrom The
other is that the republic had no right to re-
quire the Incorporation of boards of trustees
for church properties, which is similarly unten-
able, since ii is denial of the right of France
TO establish precisely such system as has long
prevailed, with entire satisfaction. in the United
States in Germany and elsewhere.
The Cardinal Archbishop Of Bordeaux is quoted
as remarking that other nations. notably Spain
are watching TO see the outcome Of the contest
Spain may be watching. but she is certainly not
waiting. Several years ago the Madrid govern
ment began TO enforce this same policy of civil
supremacy, and it has recently, as we have
noted taken a step scarcely less advanced than
that OF France Unfortunately, the answering
policy Of the Church in the Peninsula threatens
TO be less temperate than in France. Our ex-
ceptionaily Informed contributor, the ''MGrouise
de Fontenoy," set forth in Sundays Tribune
the really grave aspects of the Spanish sitlIa-
tiOn in which the Roman CothOIip Ch,,r.l, .oo,,,,
disposed TO throw its influence on the side of the
Carlist pretender, thus threatening King Alfonso
with one of the most formidable anti-dynastic
revolts in the long story Of CarIist plots and
wars It must be hoped. however that the pop-
ular young King will be able to hold his ground
against even that combination. For a whole
generation the drift-or, rather the intelligent
progress-of Spain has been away from clerical
Ism and absolutism. toward religious freedom
and political liberalism. and, indeed, actual re-
pubhcanisIn. 1t is not TO be believed that she
will retrace her steps or permit herself to be
driven back
The positions OF both France and Spain are
| or course. greatly strengthened by the circum-
stance of their similarity. Republican France
ana monarchical Spain alike insist that the
Church shall no longer form an i,npert,e,n in
nfperio. That country which was called the cid
est daughter OF the Church and that one which
was the most jealous champion and prona
gandlst or the Church simultaneously agree I'm
rendering unto Cesar the things which are
Cesars and unto God the things which are
God's-in brief civil authority and allegiance
TO the State and spiritual authority and aIIa-
glance TO the Church. The logic Of such moi
icy. both theoretical and experimental is i'm
pregnahle The three countries Of all the worIa
in which the Roman Catholic Church is mo.
prosperous are tie United States the TrD,tod
Kingdom and the German Empire and tboso
are also the three countries in which ,bora -
most thorough application of those very nrpci.
pies which France and Spain are now begin.
ming TO enforce and against which thronrh