The Oklahoma City times. [volume] (Oklahoma City, Okla.) 1908-1984, 1918-04-08
SPAIN IS after
GIBRALTAR ROCK;
MAY DEMAND IT
New Premier ''Tiger" Maura,
May Force Issue,
BY James Walter Smith In the Boston
Transcript

by James Walter Smith In the Boston
Transcript
There are two tigers" in European
politic, One Of them Is Tiger" Glenn
enceau, who, when France was in need
some months ago, was called to the
premiership. The other is tiger" Maura
OF Spain Recently Spain was In sore
trouble. II had been impossible Ia hold
~ ministry together for any length OF
time. Romanones, Prieto. Dato, and
then Prieto again-all had failed. Sew
eral statesmen who had never tried TO
form a cabinet we're bidden by Alfonso
10 the task. but all "shirked" II or pro-
fessed their inability to succeed. Upon
which the king looked around for the
Tiger" and found him.
There are two POINTS about this latest
political development in Spain which de-
serve more than passing attention. One
is that Maura-indubitably the strong
est man in Spain today-has formed the
strongest cabinet that Spain has had for
many years. The other point Is that the
premier himself has foniounded all the
predictions Of his enemies by his come
back"
To take the second point first, il may
be recalled that for more than nine
years, the strong man" Of Spain has
been out Of a job In the opinion Of
these enemies-and in truth Of many OF
his old-time supporters-Maura killed
himself politically when Ferrer was
shot in 1909. His connection with the
Aybf oppression. which eliminated in
Ferfer's death, certainly appeared to
have put an end to Maura's political
ambitions.
Everyone knew OF course, that
Maura, as leader Of the clerical party,
was still powerful. He had il in his
power 10 make or break ministries. But
as for his becoming premier again
we'll, the people wouldn't stand il. That
was all They had not forgotten Fran
cisco Ferrer.
How He Came Back.
Tn that case, you may ask. how does II
happen that Maura has bscome pre-
mier' Maura, whatever his failings
may be. has always been consideted a
wide minded statesman. The fact that
he Is the leader of the Catholic party in
the most Catholic Of European coun-
tries, should not be accepted as a sign
that his political vision is narrowed by
his religious beliefs. On the contrary,
all thu facts 90 to show that many Of
the reforms which have been introduced
into Spain during the past quarter OF
century have been born in Maura's
brain and carried out by him, not for
the sole good OF his party and hil church,
but for the permanent good OF his coun-
try. The biiterest Of Maura,s opponents
Issdmits this, IL you press him for a
truthful answer.
That the cabinet which Senor Maura
has called together deserves the little
tribute I have paid Il Is proved by the
men who have accepted the principal
portfolios. Three Of these men are ex-
premiers Senor Dato. until very re-
Gently the premier, is foreign secretary;
Garcia Prieto MARQUIS Of Alhucemas),
the miuister Of the interior; and Count
Romanones (who gave up office be
cause he was unable to obtain declar-
alton in favor Of the alies) is minister
Of justice. All of these men have had
very wide experience in state affairs,
and all, at different times have been
relentless opponents of Maura. Yet in
critical hour of Spain's destinies, they
have put aside their differences and
have Joined hands in support Of the ma
tion and the king
II has been believed from the fervor
Of Maura's speeches since the war be-
gan, that the new premier is in sympa-
thy with the allied cause. But IL this
belief has some basis in fact there is
still reason for saving that Maura's
kpoiicy Is a policy of expediency Last
September at a meeting Of some ten
thousand people in the bull ring at Ma
drid he said;
"We must be pro-ally"
Then he added I'VE have no choice
Gibraltar the Key1
II may he recalled that Just year
ago Senor Maura made speech in Ma
drld which seriously disturbed the equa
nimity of the allies Spain by her
history" he declared, naturally be
longs to the western group Of Euronean
nations, and particularly to England
and France and yet The Straits Of Glib
raltar embodies the beginning and the
end of Spanish independence. This is
an encroachment on the rights Of Span
ish sovereignty by England which does
not give us sovereignty in the waters of
our coast"
What is Spain about to do1 Does the
formation OF the latest ministry with
the Strong man of Spain" at the head
Of II, suggest that Spain Is going to.
press awkward demands on the allies :
Does il mean that the Tiger" has been
chosen to push forward certain of
Spain's ancient claims Does II mean
Le,at Gibraltar is one of the prizes at
the coming settlement Well, il looks
as II something OF the sort was in the
F Spanish mind-and that Maura has
been selected to handle the matter
-N.sa.-
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