Spain’s Popular Papers.

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 29, Issue 33, 1 May 1917, Page 2

Spain’s Popular Papers.

Many people will be surprised to learn that the Spanish language is spoken by nearly 85,000.000 people, and ranks above the Russian, German and French and Italian tongues. Its commerce is concerned with 21 nations, and is developing to such an extent that Spanish, to quote Lord Burnham‘s words, “is, next'to Enriish, the greatest language of international commerce.”

'n.-.in recognises this, and that is v.ny a feature of Spanish journalism to-day is the number of trade papers that are published. Every chamber of commerce in Spain has its own paper, while the only Spanish periodical published in England is the “El Comercio Hispano-Britanico” (The Anglo-Spanish Trade), an illustrated quarterly review published by the Spanish Chamber of Commerce. Every Spanish town has its newspaper. The most notable, perhaps, is “El Heraldo,” published in Madrid, which might be called the Spanish' “Times.” “El Mundo,” another paper published in Madrid, is one of the best printed in Spain, a notable Barcelona paper being “Las Noticias,” an independent journal with a great vogue. Spanish newspapers are small productions as compared with those of England. They average about six pages, and on account of lack of up-to-date machinery and quality of paper, do not print photographs, although cartoons are a popular feature. This refers to the newspapers, tne weekly and monthly periodicals, notably the “Blanco y Negro,” tho “Nuevo Mundo,” and the ‘‘La Esfera,” all published in Madrid, comparing very favourably with English illustrated weeklies.

Spanish newspapers and magazines are sold at practically the same price as in England—newspapers being a halfpenny and a penny, periodicals and magazines ranging up to sixpence. One of the most interesting publications in Spain is the “Gaceta Madrid,” which corresponds to the “London Gazette,” and contains all Government information. It is published every day, the price being about one penny. Other notable Spanish papers are the “El Nervion,” the leading Bilbao paper, and the “BI Imperial” and “El Liberals,” of Madrid and Barcelona.

It might be mentioned that Spanish newspapers differ from those of England, inasmuch as they contain litCe beyond political, foreign, and local news. Special articles are not very frequent, although serial stories are published.