Firm Rule in Spain The Spanish Premier, Don Manuel Azafia,
has strengthened his position by showing that he means to rule, deferring neither to reactionary generals nor to fanatical Communists. The Civil Guard, that remarkable Semi-military police which has maintained order in Spain for many years, accepted the Republic without 'demur, but has none the less been denounced by the 'extremists, especially since the recent riot at Arnedo. in which a detachment had to fire on the mob with fatal effect. The Premier has had the good sense to defend the Civil Guard, and his declaration has cleared the air. Nothing could harm the young Republic so much as lack of confidence in its power or will to control the disorderly elements. Senor Maura, who was Home Secretary in the first Republican Cabinet of last spring, has admitted in the Cortes that his colleagues prevented him from stopping the scandalous attacks on convents in Madrid and else- where. They did not realize the harmful effect of such outrages on international opinion. As soon as they did, Sefior Maura was able to call on the troops to restore peace, but the mischief had been done.
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