30 JANUARY 1932, Page 2

Red and Black in Spain

The new. Spanish Republic was : sharply challenged last week by the Communist and Syndicalist parties, who stirred up an armed revolt in the villages of Catalonia and Galicia. The prompt use of the Army and the Civil Guard proved effective. The scattered bands of rebels surrendered or fled to the hills. The Syndicalist leaders then declared a general strike in Madrid, Barce- lona, Bilbao and other towns, but in no case was the strike widespread save at Seville. Many Communists were arrested and are to be deported to the Canaries. By way of placating its Socialist supporters the Govern- ment issued on Sunday a decree dissolving the Society of Jesus and confiscating all its property, in accordance with a clause in the new Constitution. The Jesuits have for many years conducted many schools, colleges and technical institutes, besides their two universities and a famous observatory, as well as numerous charitable foundations. But the Republicans are resolved that the Jesuits mustgo. The historical minded will remember that Charles III of Spain dissolved the Jesuit -Order in 1767, and that later Spanish rulers in the nineteenth century expelled the Jesuits on four successive occasions. The obvious inference has not been drawn by the politicians

in Madrid.

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