On Saturday last the Spanish Cabinet took the important step
of recalling the Spanish Ambassador at the Vatican. Possibly " recall " is too strong a word, as the despatch was worded with reserve, and the Vatican may be justified in holding that the Ambassador is only "called" home for con- sultation. In any case, one cannot doubt that a definite Anti-Clerical movement with genuine strength has begun in Spain. It must not be supposed that Spain will follow quickly in the wake of France, for she is still a Clerical country, but now that there has been a formal trial of strength with the Vatican others are inevitable. The Vatican has demanded that the Spanish Government should abandon all the measures intended to reduce the number of Religious Orders and houses. Sefior Canalejas has rejected this attempt at dictation, and has evidently increased his prestige greatly. The Clerical Party declares that King Alfonso must side with the Vatican if the Carlists are not to come into the field again as the champions of the Church. King Alfonso, however, is declared by the Government to approve of its palicy. The best terms the Pope was likely to get were offered to him, and in kicking against the pricks he is surely adding another mistake to his formidable list of errors in foreign affairs. It used to be said that by confining the Papacy to Italians the Vatican was sure of a good diplomatist. The rule does not appear to be working very satisfactorily at present.
