Evening star., 1933-06-04
WAR DECLARATION
SEEN|N ENCYCL|CAL
Diplomats Predict Break in
Relations Between Spain
and Holy See.
Ey the Associated Press

By the Associated Press.
VATICAN CITY, June 3.-President
Eiceto Alcala Zamora OF Spain and
other members of the Spanish govern
ment were automatically excommuni-
Gated from the Roman Catholic Church
today as the result of new Spanish re-
ligious laws described by Pope Plus as
a serious attack on religion and the
church"
The accommodation was announced
by the papal secretary of state after
the Pope had suddenly and dramatical-
ly issued scorching encyclical indict-
ing the heads of the Republican regime
at Madrid of grave spiritual crimes.
Diplomatic circles here interpreted
the strongly worded encyclical as a
declaration of spiritual war" and pre-
dicted the breaking of of diplomatic
relations between Spain and Holy See
The Pontiff addressed his manifesto
to all the bishops in the world He as
serted that he was making no attempt
to thwart political reforms, because
the church accommodates herself to all
forms of government and civil institu-
tions, provided the rights of God and
the Christian conscience are left
intact"
Makes Appeal to People.
In his general encyclical declaration
the Pontif exhorted the dearly loved"
Spanish people to use "all legitimate
means to nullify the hateful legiS-
lation."
The automatic accommodation was
directed against more than 100 mem
bers of the Spanish government and
legislators, including the lifelong Cath
olic, President Alcala Zamora, who re-
signed his premiership in the first pro-
vtsional Republican administration be-
cause the Spanish Congress voted the
expulsion of the Jesuits and the control
of other orders into the constitution.
No decree of accommodation will
be proclaimed because the acts COM
mitted by the Spanish government, it
was explained at the papal state depart
ment, come automatically under the
provisions of canon law. EXcommuni-
cation was not mentioned in the en-
cyclical
The Pope said in his general letter to
the bishops that he had made repre-
sentations to the Spanish government
because of ''the error of its course in
wounding the dearest and most deep
seated sentiments of the people in dis
turbing mutual union and harmony"
He described the new Spanish law as
constituting "a new and more serious
attack not merely on religion and the
church but also on those accepted prin-
ciples of civic freedom on which the new
Spanish regime pretends to be based"
Hits Secret Organizations.
The pontiff said the law against the
church resulted from "a hatred which
secret organizations that seek the de-
struction of all religious and social or
der entertained against the Lord"
The Vatican state department would
not admit that the papal nuncio to
Spain would be recalled but it was re-
marked that it would be an anomaly to
have an apostolic representative ac-
credited to an excommunicated govern
ment.
Spain has not assigned an ambassador
to the Holy See since the Vatican de-
clared Luiz Zulueta, present Spanish
foreign minister. persona non grata
when he was appointed envoy in the
early days of the republic. Meanwhile
Spain has maintained what it termed
in diplomatic circles strained relations
with the Vatican.
It Is considered possible that this sys-
tenn Of mutual maintenance of diplo-
matte relations without regular Span
ish envoy may continue despite the
Pope's bitter denunciation Of the Span
ish regimes wrongs against God" un-
less political leaders at Madrid react
hotly to the encyclical.
GUARD AGAINST DISORDERS.