2 FEBRUARY 1929, Page 2

Not the least virtue of General Primo de Rivera's Dictatorship

in Spain has been his honest endeavour to wean the Army from politics—a task which only a distinguished soldier with personality is fitted to perfoiin. The natural consequence has been to provoke some jealousy and discontent, especially when his reforming zeal, as in the case of the artillery, came into conflict with cherished professional traditions. A fresh revolt for these rer_sons might have been expected at any time and would not have signified much. There seems, however, to have been more than an Army backing for the revolt which was timed for Tues- day " all over Spain," but- which actually took shape only in Ciudad Real, near Cordoba. The Madrid corre- spondent of the Times says that politicians and possibly the Navy were also concerned-. " The leaders had laid their plans wide and deep." It is thought that the time for the outbreak had been postponed, and that the news of this postponement had failed to reach Ciudad Real. All Spain was startled on Wednesday when it became known that Senor Sanchez Guerra, the former Conservative Prime Minister, had been arrested. He is the most formidable of the Dictator's enemies. The mutineers at Ciudad Real surrendered quickly when aeroplanes dropped leaflets informing them that there was no rising anywhere else. * * * *-