Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-12-25
Turmoil in Spain Appraised
AS an Effort to MOdernize

Although the recent revolt in Spain
seems to have been quelled, opinion is
widespread that it has weakened the
foundations of the throne still further
and the world is not writing "finiS" yet
to this chapter in SPANS history.
That the events have again focused
attention on Alfonso himself Is clear.
Estimates Of his power and his person.
atty vary. Says the Richmond News
Leader: THE King has no strong grip
or the affections OF the people, and the
other members of the royal family have
none whatever. Now and again the
King will rush through Madrid in a
motor car, or gamely appear at place
where threats have been made against
him, but usually ne follows his pleas
ureS or remains in the hideous old
castle. Leadership he has not displayed,
and loyalty he therefore need not ex-
pect."
On the other hand, the Baltimore
Evening Sun declares that because of
his great courage, Alfonso has been
idolized by his subjects, and through the
sheer force of his personality has held
e restraining hano over tempestuous
Kingdom. But courage is not his only
bid for popularity" continues the Sun,
saying: HE possesses what often goes
with it, a high sense of craftsmanship.
He is skillful rider, good polo player
and good shot. He is an enthusiast
Of the turf and, during his reign, horse
racing and horse breeding have adj
vanced materially in his kingdom"
He is pictured by the Hartford Daily
Times as "at heart a jovial, generous
leader" who might 'be disposed to make
concessions to his detractors, did he not
realize that in his country that would
be interpreted as a sign of weakness
Il Il Lit A1A1 10
Newark Evening News voices "a little
regret at the sad straits in which the
cebonair Alfonso finds himself So few
kings are left US, and fewer still of the
decorative type of Alfonso, who looks
so we'll in bathing suit" it concludes.
To blame the King of Spain is Just
a matter of looking for a goat" thinks
the Green Bay Press Gazette, which
describes him as "but an individual who
has inherited, ip common with others,
an age-old system that is fast fading
out. He has had little to do with the
actual ruling of Spain" this paper points
out. However, the present King and his
ceeded in maintaining the monarchy
for more than so years." as the New
York Evening Post declares, and 1t will
be maintained so long as the army re-
mains loyal to the government" In
the opinion of the Louisville Courier
Journal: "It is the army that makes
and unmakes governments in Spain, like
the Praetorian Guard of ancient Rome"
AS to Spanish revolutions, the Kansas
City Star says: "Republicanism in
Spain, it may be feared, is rather more
OF a rallying cry than a practical faith"
The st. Louis Post-Dispatch remarks:
Spanish revolts. so far, have been
characterized by lack of coherence, by
premature explosions in one sector be-
fore the forces of another were ready
to move, oy pledges to join in rebellion
that were not fulfilled. The nation is
in the grip of medieValiSm, and it is
trying to make up several centuries in
few days." declares this paper.
when the Castilian forgets that he
Is superior to all other SpaniardS, when
Galician fraternizes with AndaluSian,
when the wild men of Aragon awake to
the fact that the earth Is moving, when
the canny Galatians and the valiant
can unite with the peoples who are
Spanish, then there may be the national
effort needful for q successful Spanish
revolution" asserts the Cleveland Plain
Dealer.
mot forms of government, but the
kind of men who conduct government
and the kind who support them deter
mine success" says the Grand Rapids
Press, as 1t points out that "for a
republic there must be a bedrock of
give-and-take, good sportSmanship, ac-
0uiescence in government by law, admin
istrative honesty, general education and
unseldsl1 patriotism. Spain doesnsA ap-