The Press TUESDAY, OCTOBER 9, 1934. The Spanish Risings

Press, Volume LXX, Issue 21290, 9 October 1934, Page 10

The Press TUESDAY, OCTOBER 9, 1934. The Spanish Risings

Menaced by a civil war and a general strike, the Spanish Republic has revealed an unexpected power of resistance. Though the cable news is confused, and though the final outcome of the disturbances is unpredictable, it seems clear that the Catalan rising has been quelled and that throughout the country essential services are being maintained. Two factors in the situation seem to have been decisive: the energy and ability of Senor Lerroux and the loyalty of the armed forces to the republic. It must not be assumed, however, that a successful demonstration of strength by the Government will bring the present crisis to an end. Much depends on the attitude of the parties of the Right; and so far they have not shown their hand. That they will attempt to restore Alfonso to the throne seems most unlikely. However much the republic may be discredited, it is abundantly clear that a restoration of the monarchy could only be achieved at the cost of much bloodshed. But if, as is not beyond the bounds of possibility, the Right parties decide not to support Senor Lerroux in the Cortes, his position will become untenable. And if Senor Lerroux cannot rule Spain by constitutional methods, it is certain that no one else can. Moreover, assuming that Senor Lerroux does retain the support of the Right, he will still be required to deal with the general problem of regional autonomy and with the Catalan problem in particular. When the " Catalan Stat- " ute," conferring upon Catalonia the right of self-government in all matters except defence, customs, control of the Church, and international relations, was incorporated into the new Spanish constitution, it was confidently asserted by foreign observers that the Catalan problem had been solved by the classic device of federalism. They forgot, however, that federalism as a system of government is almost everywhere showing signs of serious weakness. And the reason is not far to seek. The federal system was devised at a time when the functions of government were few and mainly negative and when industry was localised. The extension of State authority into the economic sphere and the tendency of industry to organise itself over wide areas has made it difficult to devolve any substantial measure of power upon regional governments. Since its inception the Catalan Government has been in almost continuous conflict with the Government in Madrid; and it does not seem that conflict can be ended except by a substantial curtailment of Catalonia's powers of self-government. The alternative to this course seems to be the complete separation of Catalonia from the rest of Spain.