Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-02-05
BACKGROUND OF EVENTS
BY PAUL Y. COLLINS.

and new constitution was adopted.
Alfonzo XII died in 1885, leaving al
successor the. present King, Alfonzo
XIII, with his mother, Maria Christina
OF Austria, regent until 1902, when
Alfonso assumed power.
1t was under this last regency Of
Maria Christina that the Cuban re-
bellion and the Spanish-American War
came. In 1906 Alfonso XIII married
Princess Victoria Eugenia. sister of
King Edward VII Of England, a Prot
estant.
King Alfonso XIII, a few months
after his marriage, signed a decree
making the civil ceremony of marriage
valid, without sanction of the Cath
olic Church, which so aroused the
clergy that his throne was endangered.
Later the King again offended the
Vatican by canceling the prohibition
of ANY emblem, lettering or attribute
other than Catholic" upon the outer
walls of any church, and an attempt
was made to induce Jaime de Bourbon,
son of Carlos, the 1909 pretender, to
lead revolt and attempt to seize the
throne, but he refused to do so.
X X X X
From 1909 to 1925 Spain carried on
war in Morocco against the savage
tribes, and great losses, financial and
of men. were suffered every year, caus-
ing grief and dissatisfaction through
out Spain, for the draft took SPANS
sons from every family. The discon-
tent was aggravated by labor troubles.
This situation finally led to a MILL
tary revolution on September IS. 1928.
whereupon Capt. Gen. Primo de
Rivera seized the civil administration
of Barcelona and forced the govern
ment to resign. The King then asked
De Rivera to form a military govern
ment, and on July 4, 1924, this was
modified into partial civilian govern
ment, but with De Rivera still at the
head. The civil government was
strengthened further In December.
1925, but still De Rivera remained
premier. In September, 1926, Q
plebiscite was held, resulting in vic
tory for the De Rivera regime, and po-
litical parties ceased to function as
separate bodies. The government seeks
replace partisanism.
That popular divisions of sentiment
may be comprehended, it Is desirable
to understand what the old parties
were:
There was Conservative party, di-
vided between Carlists and Maurists,
both, at times, claimants Of the throne.
Maura died December Is, 1925, and no
leader to succeed him has been chosen.
The Liberal Conservatives were led
by former Premier Sanchez Guerra,
who recently headed revolt and now
lies in prison. 1t was to liberate him
that last months disturbance was
undertaken-just quelled. This party
stands little less reactionary than
the Conservatives, but Is opposed to
the Laborites and Socialists.
The Liberal Democrats, led by Garcia
Pristo, favor recognition Of some radi-
cal elements. This is the party which
was in power in 1928. when De Riveras
military coup overthrow it, dissolved
the Cortes and suspended the con-
Stitution. At that time 1t had the sup
port of Count Ramanones. President
of the Senate, and of Melquiados Al
varez, President Of the Congress Of
Deputies.
Less important parties are the Re-
publican, led by LerrouX. anti-mon-
arcl1y, and the Socialist, also opposed
to the monarchy. In recent times
Socialism has been making Roadway
throughout Spain.
X X
There are several provincial languages
spoken in Spain, and more difference
exists between its various regions. than
among States of the United States.
Galicia, the Basque provinces. Catalina,
Valencia and Mallorce, each has its
own language. Catalonia openly seeks
The last revolt conferred In Valencia.
Bilboa is the center of mining. BARGE
Iona has the greatest manufacturing ac-
tivities
The unsettled conditions come at a
most inopportune time. in view of the
international exposition,
for existence of unrest and threatened
hostilities may keep many tourists out
of the country who had intended to
visit the exposition.
An analysis of the psychology Of
Spaniards indicates the following at
titudes toward other peoples:
Toward Germany. cordial good will;
toward Great Britain, close political re-
Queen is British-but In
dividual dislike of Englishmen: con-
tempt of Portuguese and Italians. The
Spaniard believes he is better man
than an Italian or Portuguese and he
looks down condescendingly upon all
Latin Americans, but wishes them well.
He dislikes and distrusts North Amer
cans. and there Is a political campaign
here against Yankee influence and