The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1917-08-31
UNCERTAINTY IN |. SPAIN IS RESULT
 OF BRAZIL. ACTS
Entrance of American Re public in War Greatly
 Influences Opinion

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 Madrid, Spain-A1though the gov ernment makes reassuring state ments, it is notorious, that the poli- anxious and uncertain in the extreme, and that literally anything may hap pen.
 Popular discontent has been in- creased by the recent partisan dem onstrations, by more German attack on Spanish shipping, despite the most recent German assurances, by the rapidly increasing feeling that Spain is becoming completely and finally isolated, by the impression that the government is far too weak for the situation and is merely daHying, by the suffering of the people in regard to the prices of food, by the shortage of labor and the decreased trade in consequence of the reduction of ex- ports, and not least by aacertain in crease in republican sentiment. To these factors are to be added that of the entry of Brazil into the war and the belief that this will be followed by the participation of the Argentine, which might finally influence Spain. The army affairs and incidents in Catalonia, and the way they have been Ernoothed over, create vague suspicious in the public mind that the case is worse than is admitted
 Perhaps the mass of the people is still disinclined for war. but the pro- portion has vastly decreased of late and France through her newspapers, now telling Spain some plain truths is having some effect. Senor Burrell Minister of the Interior, now makes a curious official statement that the government does not desire to re- main in power. if it is in any way de- trimental to the most sacred interests of the nation. He considered that in it's existing difficult circumstances the government should look outside its own ranks for those capable of fill ing high official positions. but hither- to none had offered themselves for such posts and ministers must remain to do their duty.
 The military difficulties at Barce- Iona have excited great apprehension despite all explanations. It is said that the officers who were arrested land incarcerated at Monjuich, from which they have since been liberated include colonel, neutenant-colo | el, a commandant, a captain and tive fIieutenants, and that they had consti- Etuted themselves a committee for what they called the defense of the arm of infantry. Consequently, it is Isaid, their action was of a kind that exclusively concerned the army an6 lcertain grievances that were cherish: Ted by the infantry section, and had nc reference to the war or Spanish poll. tics in general. But it is further stat.
 ed that these officers, were associated with committees of defense at Corun- ma, Seville. Badajoz and ittoria, and if the affair were not very serious ths government would hardly have beer excited to such strong action, nol would such general apprehension bt maintained as still exists. Genera iAguilera, the Minister of War, give. l the. assurance that all is quiet in Bar. celona, but beyond doubt there i! much uneasiness there, and there ars now rumors of the resi- gnation of ths
 Captain General Marina. There ha. just been a big explosion at a 1arg. powder factory at Reus in Catalonia l the factory being destroyed.
 The Workers Union has just held { secret session, and it is announced
 that an extraordinary congress will b, held at Madrid on July to conside 1 the attitude that should be adopted l by the working classes before tn, I grave problems enacted by the war
 In an appeal which is made to tn, provincial committees, and which I published by the newspaper Fl So cialista, it is stated ssthe situation i critical, the cost of living increase
 enormously, the labor crisis develop Ievery day, the problems that the wa.
 engenders interest the working clas profoundly, and it cannot and should not remain mute before the interna. Hional events which may overwhel titp,
 There is news 1of 8 great publi, demonstration of pro-Allies charac tter in the Ramb1a, a principal thor
 oughfare in Barcelona. The crowt Ishouted Long Live Belgium., ant tattempted to march in procession
 through the principal streets, but thu 1 police interfered and broke up tn, gathering.
 Despite ministerial promises t.
 open the Cortes before the end O
 May, Parliament at the time of writ
 ing is still uncalled. There are va
 que reports about the intention tt fsummonit shortly, for a brief session
 of 20 or 30 sittings.
 |
 move to San Sebastian for the sum
 mer season. Senor sAlejandro Groi
 gard has been nominated president O. the Senate and the King has approv ed of. his appointment. Senor Groiz ard has been a faithful adherent O. 1 the Liberal Party and has held min l isterial office. Many life senators
 have also just been appointed, Gener
 al Aguilera, Minister of War, among them.
 l The government announces that i will relax the censorship, but vii hold correspondents strictly account able for the news they transmit
 It is. announced in Fl Liberal tha l Senor Gomez Carrillo. the editor, whe has been the foremost champion O. the cause of the Allies and the impla
 will retire from his post, for rest. fol awhile.
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