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.