News from Spain The Spanish Prime Minister, General Primo de
Rivera, made his long-awaited declaration on the subject of the new constitution at the first meeting of the summer plenary session of the National Consultative Assembly. The actual plan will be divulged at the end of the week, but full discussion is wisely being reserved for the autumn session—after the Madrid silly season. We are glad to note that the Marques de Estella maintains his pledge of a formal plebiscite. He may yet achieve the unique distinction of a dictator able to retire of his own free will. We confess we do not like, on the other hand, the further instalments of Protection, in connexion with a return to the Gold Standard, which are foreshadowed in a Reuter's message from Spain. The theory of protection of home industries is there being worked to death, and apart from the effects on foreign trade, and Spain's relations with other countries, we imagine that even the Spanish consumer will turn—one day. Explosive material is being heaped up there, as in other States which now rejoice in dictatorships, and those who take the long view can only hope that the Spanish nation will seize the opportunity of the new constitution to "find her political feet" under the shrewd guidance of her most gracious King.
Previous page
