Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-10-14
Assembly Votes Amendment
to Constitution DissoIving
All Extra-NationaI Orders of
Religious Groups.
CATHOLICISM REPUDIATED
BY REPUBLIC AS ITS FAITH
Fist Fight Occurs in Debate on Bill
to Nationalize Property Which
Permits Seizure if Forfeiture Is
Considered Benefit to State and
Demands Allegiance.

BY the Associated Press.
MADRID, October 14.-Spain's
Republican government appeared
to have collapsed this afternoon
with the resignation of President
Niceto Alcala Zamora, which was
followed quickly by reports that
his whole cabinet also had stepped
out.
Reports of the cabinet resigna-
tion came from persons in a po-
sition to know what was going on.
The cabinet assembled at the home
of Indalecio Prieto, the finance minis
ter, shortly after Senior Alcala Zamora S
resignation was announced.
The ministers confirmed the Presi-
dents retirement and then, it was re-
liably reported, decided to indicate
their support by following his eX-
ample.
Holds Curb on Clergy Too Strict.
The issue which brought about these
sudden developments revolves about a
difference of opinion concerning the
treatment to be accorded Catholic
orders under the republican constitu-
ton, whose provisions end the CEN
tulies-old official Catholicism Of Spain.
Senior Alcala Zamora and those who
support him contend that regulatory
measures governing the activities of the
priesthood should not be too stringent.
The attitude of the National Assem-
bly, in the face of the designations was
matter of guessWork only, but there
was persistent rumor that Manuel
Aznar. minister of war in the Alcala
Zamora cabinet, might be asked to head
new government.
Senior Zamora remained at home this
afternoon preparing the letter of resig-
nation which will be submitted to the
National Assembly While Re was thus
at work the cabinet met without him
and the reports arose that all would re-
sign.
zamora's resignation came six months
to tie day after he was first provision
ally elected to that Office.
Opposes Dissolution of Orders.
He is represented as opposed to the
action of the National Assembly in ap-
proving a constitutional amendment
which would dissolve all church orders
and nationalize their property.
The reputation of Catholicism as
the state religion of Spain was fol-
1owSd today by the incorporation of
the article in the new constitution.
The National Assembly. after a stormy
15-hour session, adopted by vote of
259 20 178 a compromise amendment to
article "a, providing for the dissolution
OF those orders recognizing a higher
authority than the state and those
considered dangerous to the state 1t
also stipulates that property may be
natlonalized where it is deemed bene-
fetal
The vote was preceded by a long
0rawn-out debate in which Catholic
Deputies proposed 20 other amend
mentS one by one in order to defend
the interests of the church and was
followed by an outbreak of fist-fght-
ing between Catholics and Socialists
on the chamber floor.
Held Action Too Radical.
Article "a, providing for the imme-
dlate dissolution of all church orders
and the naturalization of their prop
erty previously was rejected by vote
Of 164 to 80. 1t was sponsored by
the Radical Socialists and opposed by
the Socialists, who ultimately were vic
torious on the amendment.
President Zamora and Minister of
the Interior Miguel Maura expressed
dlsfaVor with the amendment on the
grounds that it was too radical Some
leaders said it was aimed at the ex-
pulsion of the JesuitS. Others said ex-
PEELED orders would find refuge in Bel
GUM and other countries.
The Catholic Church was divorced
from its age-old union with the state
with the adoption of article 3 of the
constitution by the Assembly last
night, voting 267 to Al. 1t declared
that mo state religion exists" and
banned the church from engaging in
commercial, industrial and educational
activities.
Demonstrations Curbed.
1t was followed by demonstrations
against the church ~in Madrid and
Oviedo, in which extra police and civil
guards were called out to prevent dis
orders. Stores and cafes closed their
doors here in fear of footing, but au-
thoritieS were able to keep the situa-
ton under control.
The legislation shattered tradition
of centuries, by which the Catholic
Church had enjoyed a preferred posi-
ton in the eyes of the government and
redeemed the pledges of republican
leaders, who promised to separate
church and state when Alfonso XIII
was overthroWn last Spring.
The detection of Spain leaves Bel
GUM, Italy Bolivia, Colombia, Venezu-
ella, Argentine, Peru and Paraguay as the
principal nations in which Catholicism
Is the state religion. Countries that
have separated church and state in re-
cent years include France, Portugal
Mexico, Chile and Russia.