The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1912-11-20
THE CAREER OF
JOSE CANALEJAS
Prime Minister Of Spain Met
an UntImely End
35 YEARS IN PUBLIC LIFE

A Man Of lndomitable Will and Tire
less Energy-The Idol of the Monar-
chicaI Democratic Party-His Term
as Premier.
Don Jose Canalejas y Mendes, prime
minister of Spain, who was recently
assassinated, had held that position
since February. 1910 His rigorous de-
mocracy, indomtable will and tirelcss
energy made him the idol of the mo-
narchical Democratic party.
For thirty-fve years Canalejas had
been in public life, beginning at the
age of eighteen, when he made his first
bow as a public speaker at the Acad-
emy of Jurisprudence in Madrid. The
next year saw him delivering political
addresses In all the large cities of
southern Spain. His political doctrines
were strongly tinged with a republic
anism that made him an object of sus-
picion when he gained greater promi-
nence In later years.
At twenty-five the district of Soria
sent him to the cortes, where he took
a seat among the advanced Liberals.
The young Republican had acquired al
most sOcialistic taint by this time.
He fearlessly tlaunted his political con-
victions in the faces of older COnserv-
atives. All of his efforts in the cortcs
during his younger years were direct
ed in the interests of the agrarian
classes and against the aristocratic
landed grandees of the old order.
Edited a Newspaper.
Canalejas continued to serve inter
mittently in the parliamentary body,
being elected to the presidency of the
cortes during the Liberal regime In
1906. His political aspirations led him
to become the owner and editor of Ell
HeraldO, now recognized as the official
mouthpiece Of the Liberal party in the
kingdom.
Once the young editor made a visit
to this country, and it was at time
when more than cursory interest was
attached to his coming. 1t was in 1897,
when Sagasta the Liberal leader, was
premier. Sagasta had just recalled
"Weyler the Butcher from Cuba and
installed Marshal Blanco in his place.
Feeling in this country was running
high against Spain. Though CanaleJas
dlsclaimed any mission here except
that of private citizen, it was un-
doubted that he carried back to his
friend SagaSta full report on public
sentiment against Cuban atrocities
here.
After having served as minister of
agriculture, of justice, of finance and
public instruction Canalejas had so
trained his original radicalism to com
port with opportunity that he was
then no longer considered dangerous
by the more sober elements in Spanish
public life. In February, 1910, King
Alfonso surprised all by inviting a
Liberal to become his chief counselor
His Term of Office Stormy.
Canalejas' term as premier was not
a pacific one. What with Spain's lit
tie war with the Riffs in Africa-a
struggle which is never ended-the
threatened rise Of revolution at home
and labor disorders King Alfonso's
strong man had much to contend with.
During the recent spread of railroad
strikes, behind which We're the revolu-
tionary laborites, Canalejas was the
most execrated man in Spain.
Radicals and revolutionaries, recall
ing his early radical politics, con
II nA d f4n
despot who had sold his ideals for
place and power. Secret enemies in
the government tried to turn the heart
Of the young king against him He
stood practically alone, fighting rebel
lion and secret conspiracy.
Recently he was leader of the monar-
chical Democratic party, which came
into power on the resignation Of the
Liberal cabinet headed by Senior Moret
PrendergaSt