The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1910-08-20
TWO CONFLICTING VIEWS.

In an editorial in the outlook of
August 18th, either DR.. Abbott or one
of his associates in dealing with the
topic Spain and the Vatican" takes
occasion to remark:
Looking at the dispute at this dis
lance there is reason to believe that
the diplomacy of the Vatican has
again been clumsy and hasty. y
Spain appears to have made perfect
ly honest effort to bring about needed
revision of the Concordat with the
Vatican, and the Vatican has inter-
posed delays without good reason. The
two DEGREES by Spain to which the
Vatican objects did not violate the
existing Concordat, but the Vatican
refused to countenance any kind Of
change in Span's treatment of relig-
ious institutions at time when it
was proposing to negotiate a new Con-
cordat. This is simply to refuse to
recognize fundamental rights of gov
ernment."
Evidently DR.. Abbott Is not so bad
ly handicapped by distance as by pref
udice. For even at this distance in
the light of facts it Is evident to all
who take the trouble to give the dis
pute between Spain and the Vatican
any consideration that it has not
arisen out of unfair dealing on the
part of the Vatican but out of the de-
sire of the Prime Minister of Spain
to provoke trouble. If the editor of
the outlook purports to be informed
on foreign questions he shows a de-
cided anti Catholic spirit when he &C
cuses the Vatican of interposing de-
lays in the matter of revising the Con-
cordat. He goes on to add sthat the
DEGREES by Spain to which the Vatican
objects did not violate the existing
Concordat. This of course Is an\fn-
correct statement. The wsiter may
have been sincere in his intentions to
state the truth. but he must bear in
mind that the Concordat in effect be-
tween Spain and the Holy See was
drawn up in 1851 and the subsequent
attempts at revision of few years
ago, to which the Vatican did not &C.
cede. are not parts Of the Concordat.
He further accuses the Vatican of re-
fusing to countenance any change in
Spain's treatment of religious insti-
buttons while negotiations for a new
Concordat We're under way. And would
the editor of the outlook expect the
Vatican to do otherwise? Must the
Vatican humbly submit it's sacred
rights to the vagaries of the anti
clerical party in Spain? Strange, in
deed, is such an assertion from one
who should know something of the
laws of diplomacy.
In contrast to this view let us place
few sentences from an editorial which
appeared in the Inter- Ocean of Chi
cago short time since. The writer,
Mr.. Hinman. has had occasion to study
conditions in Spain while in that coun-
try and his words are we'll worth con-
sidering. Following are a few Of the
most salient points he brings out:
1.-THE Canalejas ministry opened ne
eotiations for revision Of the Con-
cordat The Vatican was willing to
consider revision. But while the ne
gotiations were proceeding the Canal
ejas ministry issued royal decree
changing the existing laws with re-
spect to the status and privileges Of
nom Catholics, which laws are a part
OF the contract whose modification
was under discussion. and which the
Canalejas ministry attempted thus to
modify without waiting for the con-