Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-02-06

influence that is likely to be most help
full If Spanish prestige is to be revived"
X X X X
"a bungling democracy is preferable
to a benevolent despot in the minds of
the people" concludes the Oklahoma
City Times. The Schenectady Gazette
states that relationships are frankly
dependent on force for their existence;
that "either dominating qualities Of an
individual or Of the army are their
basis; popular desires receive scant con-
sheraton; hence their tenure is I'M
certain, their continuance for any long
period OF time practically impossible"
One element which is recognized by
the Boston Transcript is that king
Alfonso is tired of being a rubber
stamp" and that paper sees promise of
freer days for Spain, with the probable
return OF such exiled men of genius as
Blasco Ibanez and Prof. Unamuno," as
well as promotion of ''the influence and
credit of a noble nation in the affairs of
Europe" The Roanoke World-News
credits Alfonso with decision ito reas-
sert himself
Many things may happen" COM
ments the Hamilton, Ontario, Spectator;
and the effect of any major changes is
bound to be left in other countries,
especially Italy, which so far has man
aged to maintain the iron hand Of die
tatorship without serious challenge"
The end OF other relationships is pre-
dtcted by the TeXarkana Gazette, though
the Bangor Commercial finds little in
d1cation that the administrations of
these dictators are approaching the
end" The thought that Italy may be
affected is voiced by the Lexington
Leader, the ASbury Park Press, the
Cleveland Plain Dealer and the Lynch
burg News.
The Wheeling Intelligencer quotes
former Premier Nitti of Italy to the
effect that "the present economic con-
dltlon of Italy Is very uncomfortable.
The Oakland Tribune believes that "this
break in the Big Three of dictators may
have far-reaching consequence" The
Memphis Commercial-Appeal, on the
other hand, thinks that the eight other
countries under the sway of military or
ktngly dictatorS can take for themselves
some reinsurance for the future" The
st. Louis Globe-Democrat senses an
"ominous flavor for surviving dictators."
The growing power of democracy is
observed by the New Orleans Tribune,
the Fort Wayne News-Sentinel, the Du-
luth Herald, the Minneapolis Star. the
Jersey City Journal and the Baltimore
Sun.
Gen. Primo de Rivera stepped down
and out from his autocratic rule of
SPAIN" says the Charleston Evening
Post, "as jauntily as he stepped llp and
in. He gave q good demonstration of
how a dictator should retire. There
was no fuss about it and no disorder
and no hard feeling, and indeed no APP
parent Jubilation. The general Is a
good sport and takes things az thev
come" The Columbus Ohio State
Journal recalls that from the day that
De Rivera took charge "he was beset
with opposition, was Kept busy suppress-
ing revoltS. and at no time had the
active support of the country: that
his downfall came when he found he
could depend no longer on the army TO
obey his orders"
"The Spanish people," as appraised
by the Grand Rapids Press, "are not
greatly concerned as to who rules-,lr-
I'll some terrible catastrophe rouses
them. 1t cannot be regarded as a vic
tory for democracy that one army fac
ton headed by Berenger has tempo
rartly deposed another headed BY De
Rivera, who originally acquired power
through use of the forces under his com
mand as captain general Of Catalonia,YA