Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1910-08-13

Paris, Aug. 12-The Paris Temps to-
day prints long, sensational inter
view with Jose Caralejas MendeS. the
Spanish prime minister. covering the
recent events which eliminated in the
severance Of diplomatic relations be-
tween the Spanish government and the
| Holy See. as we'll as his future pro-
grom. which. the paper says, the pre-
mier dictated.
Premier Canaljes ends by declaring
| the rovement in the north of Spain is
directed by rich Carlists "who are in
Veterate SeparatiSts and enemies of the
| remainder of the country" and by in
| transigent Catholics, whose only pro-
gram is the reign of Jesus Christ"
The prime minister atfirms that he
| possesses knowledge that the COM
| rnittee behind the movement spent
| 100000 pesetas (sSO,O0O) in giving the
manifestants of July 10 meal tickets
besides their railroad fares. After the
| failure of the manifestation. Senior
Canalejas says, the agitators organic
| ed juntas of whcf-"and I announce
| this publicly for the first time-village
priests are the leaders,
He saws that he officially protested
| to the bishop of Vittoria and to the
| Vatican, but both of them replied that
| it was none of their concern. He says
| he will welcome interpretations of the
Carlsts. which will give him an oppor-
tunity "to lay bare the detestable con-
| spiracy against civilization, the King
and the country.
"There is no religious question in
Spain" the premier continues. ut is
simply an effort to exploit religious
sentiment upon the ground. now dis
proved, that the Spanish majority is
clerical. The majority. as was indis-
putabIy proved at the elections. is anti
| clerical Most of the municipalities
sent addresses approving the govern
p,ent's policy. 7 have received 10000
| kilograms urging me to continue this
| policy"
| Seror Caraleias says that he does
not propose to abuse the power con-
| fided in him, but that he will use it
| firmly and resolutely to establish q
preponderance of civil power. 1t is his
intention to have a law passed inSur-
ling neutral official education not hostile
Tor favora bic to any creed or philosophy.
| but free from any dogma. He insists
| that the policy of the government is
not directed against the religious or
ders, but he would have them pay taxes
from which they were exempted by
| cOnserva tive governments, and the
number or orders reduced.
| eff I cannot reduce the number of
orders by an agreement with the Vati-
can. 1 will by law he declares.
| The premier expresses unqualified
satisfaction at the reports that the
Vatican now desires Cancellation and
says he will make every effort to reach
Ian agreement with the Holy Sea, but
he maintains that the bill interdicting
| further orders cannot be withdrawn.
Il could not Withdraw that bill If I
would" lie SAYS. "1he Liberal party
and the majority of the Cortez arc
united uron that point. Different poii-
teal groups have different ideas. but
they are one against clericalsm."
Senior Canalejas frankly says that
the time has arrived when the quesr
ton must be solved If the Liberals
fail. a popular explosion he says. is
sure to follow md he understands per
fectly that his adversaries wanted q
| rupture with the Vatican in the hope
that it would mean his downfall. under
| t0e Illusion t1ldJ tlle Ielutl VI Tue Coh
servatives to power would enable them
to maintain the status quo. But.
the premier says, 1.-The status quo is
| finished forever in Spain
The prime minister declares the reports
that his policy is inspired by the coun-
sells of the French government and the
royal family of England do great inius-
tice to King Alfonso. On this point he
says:
| zone might as well say that the opinion
| of all foreign statesmen and the intel
: lectuality of the world weighs upon the
| King, for there is not a single publica-
ton in civilization which does not ap-
| plaud the dawn of a liberal spirit and
the laicizatiou of Spain. The King in the
present case obeys profound conviction.
| He is a fervent Catholic. but his mind is
| open to grand ideas and he is serious
| student of contemperaneous civilization.
He is liberal tolerant and truly con-
stitutional and without forgetting his
royal perogratives will follow popular
impression. He gives his confidence to
a ministry sustained by the majority
of the Cortez.
"The enlightened and patriotic royal
army" continues Senior Canalejas, per
mits us to face with serenity all threats
of trouble" He explains that the gov
ernment's object in fastening solu-
ton of the religious question was to clear
the way for the Introduction of vast eco
nomic and administrative reforms for
which the people are clamoring.
The premier concludes the interview
by saying that he has been minister -four
times, retiring on each occasion because
he could not put into practice his person