The San Francisco call., 1910-10-19

I'VE Iejas granted an interview to-
day to The Calls correspondent
Canalejas is the type of statesman
who marches along to chosen goal heed
less of criticism, undismayed by the
fierce attacks OF a strong opposition
His ambition is TO create q new Spain.
vigorous. abreast Of modern ideas, with
the motto Liberty and Progress"
Canalejas has atypical Spanish face,
with clear brown eyes and black
beard worn short, accentuating the out
lines Of a jaw bespeaking firmness and
character.
IT Will answer for it with my head"
he said. that the Lisbon events are not
repeated here in Madrid. I read that
the late Portuguese foreign minister
declared that the government could alb
soluteIy count Of the fidelity of the
army and navy. but the Portuguese
government evidently was living in q
fools paradise. We in Spain are not
surprised at the upheaval; it only came
= little sooner than we expected.
Tolerate Republicans
No. I don't think that republican
success in Portugal will have any re-
percussion in Spain. We tolerate the
republicans. They have a perfect right
TO freedom of speech and liberty OF
sctipn so long as they are legal and
constitutional.
You ask me il the republicans here
have succeeded in undermining the
loyalty of the airy. as in oPrtugsl. 7
snswer enlphaticaIly, no. The day they
attempt il they viii pay the penalty
prescribed by existing law.
of course. Spain will remain on
friendly terms with Portugal. but we
wont permit Portuguese agitators to
cross the frontier in order to carry on
an anti-monarchist campaign here.
Cnoficially Spain already has entered
Into relations with the new Portuguese
government. We could not help it; it
Is necessary in the political and com
mercisl interests Of the two countries.
But before officially recognizing the
new republic we viii wait for the ex-
preston OF the will of the Portuguese
people freely expressed in a consti-
tionsl way. Moreover. in granting our
recognition we shall be guided by the
examples Of Great Britain and France.
Offer of Friendship
IF Portugal preserves z correct at
titude toward the monarchical govern
rnent in Spain we will be glad to re-
ciprocate and extend our friendship TO
the new regime.
The curse OF our parliamentsry ry
system IS too frequent dissolutions
The constitutional life of our parIia-
nent IS FIVE years. I am in favor cf
an elective cortes living its full life"
The government, declared the pre-
uier. had put its shoulder to the wheel
Of reform and would not be deferred.
Ferrer's Execution
The last subject touched upon was
the execution Of Ferrer. Senior Canal
ejss. after q seconds hesitation. said:
It tell you frankly that 1 consider
Ferrer was incontestably q revolution
cry. conderned after fair and open
trial 7 know there has been much
noise about il abroad, but I see no
justification for it so far as his trial
was concerned.
Would Ferrer have been condemned
II my government had been in power?
I say most certainly yes; but whether
he would have been executed is an
other matter. If / had been premier
7 might have recommended his re-
prieve. although I don't say I would
have done so. The clericals hated his
schools and his teachings. but TO say
that they brought about his condemna-
fion TO death is an insultsto the Span
ish nation and the honor of the Span
ish army officers who tried him.