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Page 5
It is said that the Pope was extremely angry with the bishop for having
taken such a serious step without first consulting him.
This power of the Church is very rarely exercised, and while a bishop
has the right to inflict this punishment on a member of his flock, he is
not supposed to do so without first consulting with the Pope, especially
when important personages are involved.
His Holiness was therefore most exasperated to find that the bishop of
Majorca had ventured on such a step without his permission. He has,
however, no ground for refusing to uphold the bishop, so the sentence
will have to stand, but it is rumored that he intends to show his
displeasure by removing the bishop to another diocese where the work
will be harder, and the income not so large.
Napoleon Bonaparte was excommunicated by Pope Pius VII. in 1809, but
since that time the punishment has hardly ever been inflicted, and it is
thought that at the present time, when Spain is in so much trouble, the
bishop should have sought some less severe measure to bring the minister
to terms.
It is of course a terrible thing for Spain that one of her highest
ministers should be so punished and disgraced.
It was hoped that Se�or Reverter would resign his office, and so save
the Government any further trouble. This, however, he refuses to do, and
the members of his department are in sympathy with his defiance of the
Church.
It is said that friends are trying to persuade the bishop to forgive the
minister, and withdraw the sentence, if he consents to resign at the end
of the year.
The bishop is not willing to do anything of the kind. He thinks that if
the Government is allowed to plunder one church without punishment, all
the wealth belonging to the Church will soon be seized and taken
possession of by the crown.
This unfortunate affair has brought fresh trouble on poor Queen
Christina.
The Government, which has been in a very uncertain condition since the
death of Canovas, has been unable to oppose the excommunication of Se�or
Reverter.
General Azcarraga, the Prime Minister, has offered his resignation to
the Queen, and asked her to form a fresh Cabinet. He says he is no
longer able to control the affairs of state.
This is the worst thing that could have happened at this moment. The
only man who seems fit to lead the Government is Se�or Sagasta, but, as
we have told you before, he has very liberal views about Cuba.
[Illustration: QUEEN CHRISTINA OF SPAIN]
If he comes into office there is little doubt but that he will recall
General Weyler, and offer home rule to the island, if he does not accept
our offer of arranging terms whereby Cuba can purchase the island for
herself.
While this policy is very pleasing to the friends of Cuba, the majority
of the Spaniards are unwilling to give up the island unless it is taken
from them by force.
Don Carlos knows this, and so has declared himself in favor of keeping
General Weyler where he is, and pressing the war still more severely
till the rebels are forced to give in.
The chances are that if Se�or Sagasta comes to power there will be a
Carlist rising, and the young King Alphonse will lose his throne.
On the other hand, there seems to be no leader, strong enough to guide
the country, who believes in carrying out Canovas' policy, and as far as
the poor harassed Queen can see, the speedy subduing of Cuba is the only
policy that will please the people and keep her boy on the throne.
A number of Spanish war-ships have been sent to Cuban waters. It is said
that they are there to help moor the floating dock in some place of
safety until it can be brought into Havana Bay.
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