The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1917-09-18

like to break away from the Madrid
government. perhaps partly in imi-
tation of Catalonia, but more on ac-
count of what differences in race, lam
guage, manners and habits of thought.
These three causes of trouble nen-
toned are easy fer foreigner to un-
derstand. But when the untutored
American comes to plunge into the in
tricacies of Spanish political parties.
constantly dividing, changing ~their
platforms and making new alliances,
the head swirls.
Three Parties Pro-Aliy.
At the present moment the social
lists, republicans and reformists. max
Ing up the so-called "Block Of the
Left" are combined. Until the recent
internal troubles became paramount
this "block" was concentrating it's ef-
forts on throwing Spain into the war
as an entente ally. Spain's grievances
against the Germans are almost ex-
actly like the United States-contin-
ued outrages on undefended merchant
ships by the U-boats.
Not to go into all the maze of de-
tails, one may say in general that the
conservatives, the clericals, the high
army officers and the leaders of the
old aristocractic families favor Ger
many.
But there are notable exceptions to
the general rule that the aristOcrats
favor Germany. one being the Duke OF
Alba, whose family has been famous
in history for centuries.
The king himself Is believed to lean
toward the entente. His consort, Ena,
is British through and through. In
fact, she has incurred some unpopular.
ity by failure to conceal her prefer
ence for England to Spain.
But what the king may do matters
little. High officers in the government
at Madrid is confined to group Of
about thousand men, bureaucrats
no less stupid if not so brutal as those
of the czar. Cabinet follows cabinet
in an endless, wearying round. Each
one is destined to failure from the
start, because of the brainless hidal-
COS in positions of Importance, If for
no other reason.
Thus, unhappy Spain stumbles on.
She is buffeted by blasts from all
directions. The Spaniard is a natural
revolutionary. There seems little
likelihood of a solution Of the coun-
try's troubles-little chance that any
sort of a firm, strong central govern
ment will take control and Lead the
people in the ways of modern pros
porous democracy.
carlists Also a Danger.
Unusual as it would seem in these
days, Spain may even witness con-
flicts over the crown. The Carlists
are very strong. Most Of the pro-
German conservatives are Carlists.
They favor. the claims to the throne
of Don Jaime of Bourbon, Duke OF
Madrid, only son of the late Don Car
los. NuO llO" llFCS oI = AOAtSooAA' 80
Austria, and is entirely identified with
the German party in that country.
One thing is quite certain. Alfonso
would fight for his throne. He would
not yield weakly to force-whether Of
fered by the Carlists or by any other
of the many potentially hostile par
ties or combinations. He would not
climb down in trembling, silent impo-
tence, like Nicholas Romanoff. He is
O soldier and real one.
But Alfonso might bow to reason.
where force would not avail. In
light moment he offered once to run
as candidate for Spain's first president
should the people desire a republic.
Yet Spain's troubles are too deep
seated and to involved to be cast off
with Il change of constitution. What
would help her most is the ending OF
me great war. If the war goes on
Spain's woes appear certain to in
crease.