Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-08-01
CAUSE OF RIFF WAR
Reasons Why 1t Is Unpopular
in Spain.
CAUSED By SPECTATORS
Murders Instigated to Furnish Pre-
text for Intervention.
CONDEMNED BY WHOLE PUBLIC
Revolt Revolutionary in Its Charac-
ter and Present Government APP
parently Doomed.
CAUSED By SPECTATORS
CONDEMNED BY WHOLE PUBLIC


LONDON. July Silt is still impossible
to give a reliable account of the situa-
ton in Spain at the present moment
One of the most dangerous features of
the case is the fact that a weak and
imbecle government persists in using its
power to conceal the truth from the
Spanish people themselves and the out
side world. There is no longer the slight
est doubt that the popular rising is revo-
lutionary in it's character and the indica-
tons are that the authorities for the
present moment are holding it in check.
1t would be great mistake to interpret
the revolt as a Carlist attempt as anti
dynastic in any sense, although pre-
tenders may seek to take advantage of
the situation.
The Spanish people have arisen spon-
taneously to condemn an unpopular war
it is easy to understand this feeling when
its origin is explained. The cause OF
the fighting at Melilla is a piece of po-
litical corruption more disgraceful than
! the big timber exploitation with Korea
which led to the RussoJapanese war.
There are on the outskirts of Melilla
series of rich mining claims. The coun-
try therea bouts is known as the KIN
country and it is inha bited by strong
fanatical tribes, who dispute the control
rocco. The Riffs deeply resent foreign
interference, and they are able to put
100000 well armed fighting men in the
field. Four years ago Spanish company
minister of agriculture. obtained con-
cession from the Moroccan pretender to
work the mines The court circle and
some Jesuits became interested.
Murders Arranged for Pretext.
The time came when it became neces-
sary to get the sultan to ratify the con-
cession. Naturally, he refused to recog-
nize the act of a rebel. Thereupon the
| company set about to secure the inter-
vention of the Spanish government. The
Riffs had particularly resented the con-
struction of railroad from Melilla to the
mines. Four Spanish workmen were
murdered recently by tribeSmen, and Vii
lanueva, who resigned the presidency of
the company few months ago, states
publicly that these murders were ar
ranged by the mining company to furnish
a preteXt for intervention. The Spanish
government sent troops and hostilities
began with, thus far, disastrous results
| for the Spanish arms.
1t is hardly surprising that Spanish pub
| lie opinion denounceS and refuses to sup
port war begun in such fashion, and IN
| which no national interest is involved.
| Popular anger is directed against the
cabinet. especially the prime minister and
minister of the interior. against the king.
| because he is a personal friend OF the
principal capitalists involved, and against
| the church because its leaders support
! the adventure. Public opinion is unani-
nous among the masses, although other
| parts of the country have not joined the
| open revolutionary movement.
| So far as is known the turbulent spirit
of anarchism and socialism, which is
always rampant in Barcelona and Cata-
| lonia, brought the first outbreak of vio-
lence, but it is admitted that no response
has been obtained anywhere to the sum
mons to the reservists to join the colors.
1t will be seen, after this explanation,
that the attitude of the people of Spain
by no means implies pusilanimous spirit
which the earlier aspect of the situation
seemed TO convey.