The Vatican and Spain

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · Feb 18, 1913

The Vatican and Spain

UNDER Canalejas' premiership, diplomatic relations were broken between Spain and the Vatican. The successor of the noted premier is Count Romanones, whom the Rome correspondent of the Western Watchman describes as "the darling of masons, antireligious gentry, and other excellent people." He has declared he "is decided to follow out to the letter the program formulated by his ill-fated predecessor." Why he wishes to open negotiations, this Rome correspondent does not know, and suggests: "Perhaps then he hopes to open negotiations by throwing dust in the eyes of the Vatican diplomats." And then this pertinent passage, which the diplomats of all nations may ponder, follows:

"Probably he fancies he is more than a match for the S. Congregation of Extraordinary Ecclesiastical Affairs with its members who have grown gray in diplomacy, who have each conducted delicate missions all over Europe! For this congregation, which the pope employs to study and vote upon such questions and then have referred to himself the result, through the papal secretary of state, is not accustomed to be hoodwinked."

It is not diplomacy which will meet the Papacy, but the principles of the living truth of the gospel.