Spain Faces Civil War

Southland Times, Issue 22948, 22 July 1936, Page 4

Spain Faces Civil War

“My countrymen are always given to extremes” was the lament of King Charles 111. of Spain. His words ring as true to-day as when they were spoken nearly 200 years ago. Exactly what is happening in this sorely troubled Republic is not clear, for the censored and garbled reports are somewhat contradictory. But civil war seems to be raging through the greater part of the country. The Right and Left factions have for months been engaged in a struggle which has been growing more and

more bitter, and the murder last week of Senor Calvo Sotelo, leader of the Monarchists’ National Bloc, probably hastened the revolt against the Government which is now plunging the country into the horrors of an internal war. Senor Sotelo had been openly demanding the restoration of the monarchy, declaring that only by this means would Spain be governed “in accordance with more honoured traditions and concede to the Church its rightful place.” The Socialists replied to Sotelo in an effective if brutal way—by murdering him. This robbed the Right groups of a trusted leader and caused them to attempt a coup earlier than they would have if the assassination had not taken place. The simultaneous risings in the Canary Islands and Morocco were the prelude to a vigorous attack on the mainland, and from the latest reports the insurgents are seriously threatening to overthrow the Government.

They hold such important cities as Malaga, Salamanca, Seville, Cordova, Saragossa and Valladolid—cities so widely scattered that the extent of the revolt is clearly indicated. According to one message printed this morning the Government is fighting for its life, and although it has established a temporary supremacy in Madrid a battle is imminent which may well decide whether the Socialists or the Monarchists are to control Spain. The struggle has been marked by the doubledealing and defections characteristic of revolutionary countries. General Franco, commanded by the Government to fly to Morocco to direct operations against the rebels, carried out the first part of his instructions but on arrival took charge of the rebels instead of trying to take them in charge. Both in the army of the Left and the army of the Right officers and men have crossed to the opposite side. But happenings such as these do not affect the grimness of the struggle. Violence is being met with violence and there seems little prospect of peace until one side is crushed in battle. Even should the Government succeed in quelling the revolt and restoring the semblance of order, it is probable that the parties of the Right will, beneath the surface, plan a coup which may again bring turmoil and bloodshed.