A COMPROMISE EXPECTED.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1124, 11 May 1911, Page 5

A COMPROMISE EXPECTED.

As t*lie opening of the Cortes draws near wrote "The Times" correspondent recently, the impression gains ground that Senor Canalejas will find a way ot avoiding a serious breach with the Vatican, and that, his Law of Associations will be drafted in a form which, while ostensibly fulfilling the pledges given when lie was in Opposition, will actually avert a crisis and leave room for an eventual compromise. I gathered from a conversation with the Premier Inst Thursday that a policy of-expediency on this question is almost inevitable- in the present state of public opinion. Tim Vatican.also has all to gain by not insisting on a rigid maintenance of its claims, especially t-hni*: which assert, rights abandoned in other countries where Itomnn' Catholicism remains the national religion. Nennr Canalejas is chiefly concerned In arrive at a reasonable definition of tins Vatican's position vi.--.i-vis the Government under the. Concordat and the Constitution, together with recognition of the State's rights in regard to religious toleration, civil marriages, burials, secular education, and taxation of the. religious orders. However strongly I lie Extreme Loft may feel these questions, (he events of I he' past low weeks have convinced die Premier that toiforce. issues with Rome would be unwise and calculated to place lung Alfonso in a difficult position. Three Ministers in his Cabinet are op-pn.-ed to any breach with the Vatican; Scnor Moiitero I'ios, President of the Senate, has inliimiled his intention to resign if the attacks are pressed, while (iven a section of the Republican Parly has announced its opposition to the Law of Associations. In these circumstances (he adoption of an uncompromising attitude would simply mean the collapse of the. Ministry, at a time when continuity of authority is essential. The law as drafted will include industrial and other associations, and should therefore provide ample opportunity for prolonged discussion and freauent diversions.