New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1919-01-05
The Bureaucratic
Element


Element
The other stronghold Of reaction in con-
temporary Spain is formed by the upper and
middle classes which own the land and
crowd the bureaucraces. They form
closely knit system Of interests from bank
ing and financial enterprises to local magis-
traces, from high Bureaucratic positions
TO provincial mayorships. This system,
through its nominees, controls practically
all the assemblies Of the country-Parlia-
ment, the provincial councils and the nu-
nicipal councils. 1t stats the High Judi
ciary. 1t is represented in every province
by the civil governor, in every town and
village by the mayor. 1t stands for vested
interests and the established order. it con-
trolls general elections and weighs with all
the weight of the bureaucratic machinery
against the obscure mans right and in
favor OF the man with q powerful friend
behind him. II works through the whole
nation as permanent and living lesson
against justice and in favor Of power. This
system is, of course, pro German.
AT the other end socialism and what
remains of republcanism, together with the
intellectual element of the country. con-
stitute the stronghold Of pro-Ally feeling.
Socialists and Republicans are inspired by
French rationahstIc doctrines.
THE Radicals, numerous in Catalonia,
and the Republicans, more numerous In
Madrid and other great towns, are pro-Ally
for similar reasons. For them, France
means Down with the Popei'-and they are
with France. The intellectual element is
f1fi md rcio ,c1r
But what is the position of Spanish pro-
Ally elements in home politics The intel
lectual element finds itself coid-shouldered
and almost ostracized by the powers that
be. Seldom does the right man get into the
right place. The familiarity of a bishop is
better guarantee Of academic success than
familiarity with the classics.
THE working classes are not much hap
pier. Fiscal legislation is Ubiquitous. Owing
to the ineficiency of the bureaucratic ma
chinery and the subsequent lack of good adj
mlnlstration and taxes, the treasury shows
a marked preference for indirect taxation.
which weighs very heavily on the poor
1T is then only too natural that the dem
ocratic elements of the country should feel
IN state of protest and opposition against
the established order and, therefore, against
the regime which represents it. BY tradi-
ton, moreover, progressive elements are
anti-dynastic The anti-dynastic tradition.
however, has lost much of it's strength dur
ing the present reign. One cannot keep I'd
the popular interest in revolution which
never materializes.
"At the same tine the industrialization
OF certain regions OF the country accelerated
nj or
cialists, though no friends Of the monarchy,
do not consider its downfall as their main
or only aim. manifestation Of the decs-
dence OF the republican idea resulting from
all these causes was the birth, in f9I2, Of
the Reformist party. 1t was an attempt to
bring within the bounds of the monarchy
the intellectual element, the moderate Re-
publican, and the enlightened business men
who until then had held aloof from all po-
htical combinations
But the Crown, which at first seemed to
welcome it, stiffened, after the advances of
Don Melquiades Alvarez had definitely sew
cred his connection with the Republican
forces, and the Reformist movement died
out.
When war broke out the country was
very much agitated by the growing divorce
between the people and the army on the
question OF Morocco. The army considers
Morocco as an affair of its own. It has
been impossible to the more enlightened
opinion in Spanish political circles to bring
the military to reason on this question The
expenditure grows heavier yearly, far be-
yond the yearly amount which was unsuc-
cessfuiiy asked for revolutionizing the econ
osny OF Spain by means of public works. Yet
the results could not be poorer. Incompe-
tence--both military and political-is oh
vious to the most moderate critics firm
hand was necessary in order to put the mill
teSS sss~s the authority Of a good admin