Wairarapa Daily Times [Established Over 50 Years.] SATURDAY, OCTOBER 18, 1930. DISCONTENT IN SPAIN.

Wairarapa Daily Times, 18 October 1930, Page 4

Wairarapa Daily Times [Established Over 50 Years.] SATURDAY, OCTOBER 18, 1930. DISCONTENT IN SPAIN.

Just thirty years ago a member of the international underworld declared :—■ 4 The nineteenth century was a century of war, the twentieth will be one of revolution.” This was not merely the expression of a wish; it avowed an intention. The occurrence of the greatest war of all hid that intention for a time, but did not for one moment destroy it. The unrest which followed has. affected every country in some degree, and Spain could not escape, though she stands in many ways distinctly apart from Europe. Spain was the only European nation which had no stake in the war. Her conservative elements were pro-Ger-man and her democrats.pro-Ally. On one occasion King Alfonso remarked that he himself was - the only Spanish neutral. King Alfonso, by the way, seems to stand ■nearest among the crowned heads of Europe to the type of monarch portrayed in Mr Shaw’s play, ‘ * The Applecart. ’ ’ One can easily fancy himself surveying, with a certain whimsical humour, his own vacant throne. Vacant it may well ere long become if the ruling authorities are unable or unwilling to display at least some measure of real statesmanship. Corrupt and feeble government is the root cause of disaffection in the Spanish people who by nature are given to believe in old traditions. Had there not been genuine resentment against a repressive and inefficient policy, it is scarcely to be supposed that protests would have reached their present height. ‘ 4 Spain is not Portugal, ’ ’ to quote King Alfonso once more, when warned as to the possibility of Madrid imitating Lisbon. Faith, however, in a high sense of national pride is not sufficient unless accompanied by works. Masterly inactivity fails when its mastership ceases.