Evening star., 1924-08-27

Algiers to France, In exchange for
other territory in Africa, which was
in dispute at The Hague. Since then
the old quarrel was reopened between
| France and Germany, nearly leading
| to war, but the sacrifice of all her
colonies In the World War has now
| eliminated Germany altogether. The
entire Spanish claim in Morocco
(Which covers only a small part OF
Morocco), was decreed to Spain on
condition that she maintain it against
the inhabitants. But the inhabitants
have never been conquered. either by
Spain or any other overlords.
| X X v X
f, The Riffs have learned to fight by
modern methods Their soldiers have
been trained by English officers. They
use airplanes and bombs. The Span
iards claim that the Riffs are armed
by munition firms of all the great
powers. Spain, too, uses the most
terrifying of modern weapons; last
month Spaniards reported having
bombed 400 native villages, destroy
ing not only the homes. but mass
acreing the women and children as
we'll as the soldiers in the garrisons.
| Dictator-or premier-Gen. Primo
De Rivera is seeking to re-establish
Spanish prestige after recent defeats,
| ana VIII lnen OH eF terms OF Settle-
| ment, agreeing to withdraw from all
inland posts and fortifying only the
| seaports. 1t is not assured that the
enemy will accept the terms or any
terms except complete withdrawal
and the militarists of Spain will not
listen to any such retreat.
In the meanwhile Dictator de
| Rivera, who seized the power over
Spain last Fall by force of arms and
| n hnl ljSh hnd IT,, .
| of Spain, and suspended the constita-
ton, is still in control. King Alfonso
fearing for his throne, has recently
legalized the Rivera cabinet by issue
ing DEGREES appointing all the min
| listers, with De Rivera as premier
They are responsible directly to the
King, and not the Cortes. as the
| constitution provides. No reassem-
bling Of the Cortes has been decreed
but all political prisoners have been
given amnesty. at the will OF the
dictator, sanctioned by the King. Thus
tho King becomes the legal head OF
| the revolution which suspcnds the
constitution he swore to uphold.
| For what great stake is Spain
fighting? The officials in power con-
gratulate the country, that while
continueing its 15-year war with the
Riffs. the budget deficit of 1922 was
only 669, 100000 pesetas What is the
end of all this struggle, aside from
| stubborn pride?
| a rumor is extant in diplomatic cir
| cleS that there is greater trade
| pending than when France traded
other territory to Germany and re-
tained her hold on Tunis. This is said
to be dream of Spanish patriots. 1t
| Is that when Spain will have accom-
plished an undisputed title to Ceuta
the port in Morocco opposite Gibraltar
and within twenty miles Of that
frowning fortifcation. she may be
able to trade it to Great Britain for
that famous rock. According to STRAIT
egists this shocking proposal may
not be so impossible as II seems, In
| view OF modern changes in warfare
Heretofore Gibraltar has been the
| key to the Mediterranean-the high
way to Egypt and India and the Far
| East; today military authorities es-
TEEN Ceuta, as base for submarines
| to be OF more value than the rocky
| prominence across the strait
| For Spain to re-possess Gibraltar
regardless of its practical defense value
would be more glory to the King who
achieved it then the conquest of a
| continent. From that standpoint, say
the diplomats who claim to under
stand. 1T becomes clearer why Spain
continues to pour out her millions
bankrupt her treasury, endanger her
dynasty. by fighting an unconquer-
able tribe, for possession of an i'm
poverished desert Spain is fighting
they say. not for Africa, but for Gil
braltar.
| {Copyricht 1924 nv Pan, Y ro,,;,.,