Imperial Valley press., 1939-04-25
Another Revolt
Among Spanish?
By CHARLES P. STEWART

cos new Spanish government CAS-
suming that Franco really has eS-
tablished a government in Spain
and assuming also that it's Fran
cos such as it Isl it will be a nuiS-
ance If that blows up, too. Never
theless, Washington receives diplo-
matte hints that another rebellion
threatens south of the Pyrenees-
a rebellion against the rebels who
won (or thought they did only
two or three weeks ago. In fact,
they're not through celebrating
their supposed victory yet. The
State Department is beginning to
surmise that they'd better hurry
their celebration along or it may be
somebody elSe's celebration. The
Madrid republican government went
flooey, to be sure. We were correct
in recognizing that. But has it been
succeeded by anything worth being
recognized? That remains to be
Seen-perhaps speedily.
To understand the situation, let's
take a look backward into compar-
atively recent Spanish history.
Start With Alfonso
Well start with King Alfonso'S
regime. 1t was so little to brag about
that, a few years ago, a kind of
military dictatorship came into
power under General Primo de
Rivera. 1t didn't dethrone ALT, but
it reduced him to a figurehead, like
the king of Italy under MuSSolini.
The dictatorship turned out TO be
a frost likewise, and the So-called
republicans gained control dispoS-
ing of ALI and Primo, both.
These alleged republicans (the
birds who have just been abolished
by Franco and the interests back
OF him proved to be extreme radi-
cals-commGniStS, outright anar-
chists and assorted reds. Undoubt-
edly they were guilty Of various
Scandalous eXceSSeS.
Finally the more rational Span
ish element rebelled. The rebels
weren't reactionary enough to suit
the ultra conservatives, but the lat
ter joined them, having nowhere
else TO go.
General Franco took charge of
the rebellion.
The so-called republicans put up
two-and-a-half year fight, but
they were split; all the moderateS
had left them. Thus divided, repub-
llcanlsm lost. Franco was on the
job.
But the Franco-iteS? Now they're
splitting also.
frances accused of being a mere
Stooge for Mussolini and Hitler
especially of Mussolini
Want Their Liberty
Well, even ultra conSerVa tive
Spain never wanted to be annexed.
as something in the nature of an
Italian dependency. The Spanish
are proud people. They resent the
notion that Franco has sold them
out TO IL Duce, in order, possibly, TO
make him local dictator of his
own country-Subject to Rome's or
ders.
Consequently nationalistic Spain
seems to be Hopping into an anti
totailtarian alignment--not radical,
but violently opposed TO Franco,
and his supposed hackers, Mussoli-
nj and Hitler.
FIRST the middle group was in re-
bellion against what was considered
communiStic. Now it shows signs
Extremely conspicuous signs) Of
hostility to Fascism or Nazi-ism, as
supposedly represented by General
Franco. Accordingly Frances on the
spot. He needs Italian troops to
help him-and they're a liability
in his home territory.
Maybe he can conquer Spain
with an italian army and German
aViatorSl
But he's a Spaniard. Can he pop
ularize himself in this fashion? You
wouldn't think so.
Anyhow, the State Departments
dope is that he already is tottering.
The chances of his status make
quite a difference, considering pres
ent world considerations.