Fascismo Meets Somaten

His Catholic Majesty, King Alfonso of Spain, accompanied by his consort Queen Victoria and his political Dictator, General Primo Rivera, or the Marquis de Estella, as he really is, made a triumphal entry into the Eternal City, where they were greeted on all sides by an enthusiasm which transcends that accorded to any Catholic monarch who has visited Rome in recent times.*

The King and Queen of Spain paid their respects to King Vittorio Emanuele and Queen Elena of Italy and were, during their visit, the guests of the Italian Monarchs in the Quirinal Palace. On two occasions visits were made to the Vatican. On the first visit the Pope received his distinguished visitors with all the ceremony and pageantry which the Holy See could muster. King Alfonso kissed the Pope's toe, read him an address and was about to make the ritual osculation on the holy toe once again, when the Pope took his hands, raised him to his feet and warmly embraced him. The second visit was more informal and strictly secret. Both Queen Victoria and General Primo Rivera were received by His Holiness, who presented the Queen with four gold medals--one for each of her sons. Meanwhile three-cornered negotiations were afoot between Premier Mussolini of Italy and Dictator Primo Rivera of Spain and Cardinal Gasparri, Papal Secretary of State, or Foreign Minister.

Diplomatically speaking, the visit of the King and Queen of Spain to Rome was of great importance. No precise information was published by the authorities concerning the results, but the Vatican and Premier Mussolini were of the opinion that the negotiations were both cordial and satisfactory. It is then to be assumed that King Alfonso's visit has been successful.

There are two main points which are sure to have been discussed. One concerned the Chigi Palace or Italian Foreign Office, and had to do with the promotions of a political and economic entente between the two Fascisti States. Both Italy and Spain are Mediterranean Powers, both have trade interests in South America, and both, by Fascist coups, have succeeded in reestablishing the authority of the Crown. The Entente, it was considered, will be to make Fascism a greater force in international politics and to bring both Powers into the Tangiers disputef with a common agreement.

The second point concerned the Vatican and was of a religious nature. The conditions of the Concordat of 1851, which regulated the relation of the Church and State in Spain and which laid down that only three religious orders J were to be established, were broken and friction occurred with the Vatican. In 1910 a measure known as the Padlock Bill was passed by the Cortes and recognized by the Pope. This bill prohibited the establishment of any more orders in Spain. In 1912 it lapsed but was prolonged by instruction to the Bishops from the Pope, though the Cortes (Spanish Parliament) tried to abrogate it. Since then relations between the Vatican and the State have not been too friendly. The new order in Spain now makes it possible for a lasting agreement to be made between the State and Church, which is allegedly the object of King Alfonso.

King Alfonso referred to General Rivera as " My Mussolini," and in a speech General Rivera said of Premier Mussolini: " Your figure is no longer only Italian but it is worldwide. You are the apostle of a campaign against dissolution and anarchy in Europe. You have known how to speak to the hearts of your people and have rapidly won them over to order, work and justice. This has been your truly masterful work and therein lies your real strength.

"Your name is pronounced by all healthy-minded people with profound respect and 'Mussolinismo' has become a religion, has become a doctrine of redemption which finds in the whole world thousands of admirers and proselytes. A great part of the Spanish Army and people-- indeed, almost all of them--realized that the example of Fascismo in Italy could be imitated and they performed the same work of redemption. This I am proud to proclaim today before the head of the Italian State, who is also head of Fascismo."

In his reply Signer Mussolini said: " When Italy last September heard of your movement we realized that, though different in method, our two revolutions had the same finalities. We both wished to free the vital forces of our peoples from disastrous influences of impossible political doctrines and of men incapable of assuming difficult responsibilities of command."

*King Albert of the Belgians visited Rome last year. This was the first visit of any Catholic monarch since 1870, when Pope Pius IX threatened a ban on Catholic monarchs who accepted the hospitality of the House of Savoy, which had usurped his temporal power.

/- The Tangiers dispute now rages be tween France, Britain, Italy, Spain ; some other nations have ancillary interests. The bone of contention is: Who will govern Tangiers on the north Moroccan coast, now under international control? For various reasons the Powers have never been able to settle this question and the dispute has lasted intermittently since 1906 (TIME, July 16).

/= San Vincente de Paul, Felipe Neri and one other which was to have been named.