Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1910-07-30
CONDITIONS IN SPAIN

Madrid, July 3O.-Anarchy, repub-
licanism, or a Carlist government, with
Pretender Don Jaime at the head, Is
freely predicted in Spain today, follow
ing the sensational rupture of diploma
tic relations between the government
and the Vatican.
Torn by internal dissensions OF
almost every sort. with political and
labor disputes ever threatening a crisis,
with thousands OF exiles camped along
the French border awaiting an oppor-
tune time to march to Barcelona and
proclaim a revolution, with a foreign
war draining the treasury. the country
reeking with the spirit of anarchy and
now plunged into religious strife that
NAV ALLEVIATE the bulk Of the population,
King Alfonso's throne is believed to be
lettering and lhe monarchy Itself facing
engulfment in the impending upheayal.
The complete severance OF diplomatic
relations betW,cn the government Is
expected the moment the Vatican re-
ceiyes the ministerial note that IS now
being prepared-supporting the cabinet
and king in their stand against the
authority of the Vatican in Spanish
church affairs. Already the govern
ment has withdrawn MarquisDe OJeda,
its ambassador at the Vatican, and the
recall Of Monsigncur Nico, Papal nunclo
at Madrid, is momentarily expected.
When this is done, even the most
optimistic admit that it will take a
higher order of craftsmanship and
diplomacy than has been witnessed III
Spain in years to escape y civil war
and the resulting train of ruin. That
the Vatican expects a civil war and Is
counting on the vast Catholic popula-
ton to remain loyal to the church as
against the government is clearly IN
dictated in messages today from Rome.
The firm stand taken by King Al
fonso. heretofore considered one OF the
royal workings of Europe, is blg
surprise to the country, A deyout
Catholic himself, he has come TO the
support of Premier Canaleias III the
fight for the supremacy of the govern
ment over the church and his apparent
fearlessness in the present crisis has done
much to win support for the govern
ment.
II is conceded that Alfonso merely
acted in self defense for had he sur
rendered to the Vatican, the CanaleJaS
cabinet would have resigned and
m nisterial crisis been preclpltated
from which it is doubtful whether Al
fonso could have emerged still wearing
his crown. But at that, the king s.
actions are still a surprise, and have ele-
waited him more in general esteem than
ANYTHING he has done since his matrl-
monial alliance with the royal family
Of England.
Two things greatly complicate the
situation. One is the activity
of Don Jaime, the pretender, and the
other the unfortunate recurrence OF
severe fighting between the Spanish
soldiers. and Riff tribeSmen in Morocco,
whom Spain has been trying to subdue
for more than a year Don Jaime IS
writing TO his Spanish supporters that
he expects "the people soon to rally
against the enemies OF real liberty.
He saws he expects to take the place
OF honor deyolving on me by birth.
In Morocco the Riffs are taking ad-
vantage to the situation by renewed
activity, and in a fight reported yes
terday thirty Spanish soldiers and
twice this number of natives were Kill
ed. The Mullahs are preaching a
holy war against Spain and it is feared
that the scope Of the fighting will be
greatly enlarged.
The Riff campaign has never met
with any enthusiasm, and the oppo-
nents of the government are now max
ing the most of the failure 10 put an
end TO the hostiities in SPANS African
possessions.
Even among the staunchest Catholics
the cause leading TO the present crisis
is considered Of little Importance. Re
Gently the premier, in response to a
general demand for greater religious
tolerance in Spain, issued decree per
hitting mont Catholic organizations to
display the insignia Of worship.
At the time the government aud the
Vatican were engaged in revision OF
the ConcOrdat and the premier's action
so incensed the Vatican that 1t served
notice that it would abandon the re-
vision unless the edict were reyoked.
Canalejas warned the cabinet and the
king that a compliance with the Vatican
demand would mark the last step III
the decadence Of Spain, The cabinet
backed by Alfonso, refused the Nah-
cans demand and recalled the Spanish
to the Vatican.
As result the entire nation is now
in the throes Of the greatest excitement
with both the government and the
radical cIericals claiming the support
OF the vast majority OF the public III
the event OF war.
Rome, July Manager Vico, the
papal nuncio, at Madrid, was recalled
today, following the recall by Spain OF
Ambassador Oieda. This completes
the severance Of diplomatic relations
between Spain and the Vatican.
Ambassador Oieda left Rome today
for Madrid.
Mysterious Death of a Woman.
Philadelphia, July 30.-Much mys-
terry surrounds the death Of Catherine
Cloughessy, 80 years old, a goyerness,
whose body was found on lawn oppo-
site the fashionable Germantown cricket
club grounds at Mannheim today. Wlth