New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-01-26
ANOTHER SPANISH CRISIS.

Political affairs in Spain are so chaotic that
another crisis more or less would matter little.
except for It's involving, does the present a
distinct change Of policy on issues of the great
est Importance The Tberian kingdom has for
some time had the distinction which used TO
belong to France OF having more frequent
changes Of ministry than any other nation in
the world. The Liberal ministry which went
out of existence yesterday was the fifth in
year and a half. These frequent changes have
been due to various causes the first OF all being
precpitated by the Moroccan troubles, but the
last two or three. and certainly that of yester-
day. must be attributed directly to the contro-
versy between Church and State. On that I'm
portant subject Liberal ministers have differed
only as to ways and means All have been and
are exactly agreed concerning the ends 10 be
sought, which the complete separation OF
Church and State entire religious freedom and
equality the abolition OF all special privileges
to religious communities and the secuIarizatIon
of public education.
The Conservatives now returning 10 power
under the lead of SefiOr Maura-who. when he
was last Premier, In 1904 was described as 1.-The
most reactiOnary Prime Minister Spain has
had since the RestOratiOn''-are committed to
a policy almost exactly the reverse of that Of
the Liberals which they will now probably en-
deavOr 10 execute. Especially nre they opposed
TO the Liberal anti-Clerical policy. the majority
OF their members in the COrtes being not only
devOut Catholics, but also uncomprOmisng Cler
icals in politics. That they will attempt 10 re-
peal any Of the laws on that subject which the
recent Liberal governments have enacted NAV
be doubted. but that they will shelve all fur
Their progress in that direction may be taken for
granted. In so doing they will probably be sup
ported by a good majority of the Cortes What
the attitude Of the nation will be is less easily
forecast SefiOrs Rios and Moret are probably
right in thinking that the country is not vet
ready for radical campaign against the tenn
porai power of the Church, such as that which
is being pushed In France. Yet there is unques-
tionably large part of the Spanish nation. In
GLIDING the most aggressive elements OF the
northern provinces, that is strongly In favor Of
such a campaign. How It will regard the reac-
only be conjectured but II may soon be demon
strated in ways embarrassing to the authorities
at Madrid.
! The return OF the Clericals to power must be
regarded with much qualification at the Vatican.
as must also the conciliatory and almost com
promising attitude which the French govern
ment has assumed within the last fortnight If
| the returns from the German elections shall
show no diminution Of the Centrist strength in
the new Reichstag, as may easily be the case
! the whole aspect OF affairs will be- to the
Church. vastly different from what il was only
| the other day. or course. neither this Spanish
crisis nor the German elections will finally settle
the issues between Church and State. But they
may indicate how formidable a bower even In
temporal affairs is that Church whose temporal
sovereignty was supposed TO have ended more
! than a generation ago.