GRANDEE OF SPAIN.

Shannon News, 29 February 1924, Page 4

GRANDEE OF SPAIN.

r ———r—: —“■ AN ANCIENT HONOUR. Kings Alfonso has marked.,bis. approbation of the work accomplished by General de Rivera by conferring on him the historical title of Grandee of Spain. He had certainly effected great reforms in the financial condition or the country. When he seized the-rems of power Spain was rapidly drifting towards bankruptcy. This was not so much by reason of actual-poverty as by shameful waste and maladministration in regard to public re Y e °^ The deficit for the previous year had amounted to some £26,000,000. Peculation was rife, and many influential families had come to regard the public treasiiry as being more or less the px - vate property of themselves and their friends. General do Rivera adoptea drastic reforms. He abolished most ot the Government sinecures, .prohibited high officials from holding positions ' ith private business concerns, and he severed the ' profitable connections which many wealthy business Arms hhd established with the Government. Municipal administration was even more corrupt than that of the State. He toolc the extreme measure of dismiqsinEr all tliC members of the 9254 “SfpSieriuto JO* the was divided, and new locc. ... were elected by taxpayers’ . committees. The salaries of life senators were abolished, 1 judicial procedure amended, , , .j'lt-y suspended;. Gambling in all clubs, including military clubs t was strictly forbidden. A vigorous campaign was commenced against profiteering, and retailers are now required to submit accounts showing what they have paid for their these and other reforms the expendit•v tbu-ini the last three months has decreased, by £3,000,000, and the rcenue increased by £2,500.000. If this is maintained, the next national Budget ought very nearly to balance. De Rivera, however, has not found it possible entirely to abolish i the system of political rewards, and in spite of categorical promises to the contrary he has* had to create several new generalships. Also he seems inclined extend the term of his dictatorship indefinitely. At first it was to be - for thirty days, then ninety days, now it is to be fox three years, and no one can say ‘ how long it will really endure. The strictest censorship prevails and no ; one 1 may publish anything concerning the ; military directorate except-with the authority of General Rivera or other proper officials. The directorate has i the strong support of the Church, and; several bishops, including the Prime lie, have issued pastorals in its favour.: But trouble seems to be brewing . in more than one quarter. The moneyed 1 classes are refusing to subscribe for national bonds, the merchants 'are clamouring.for protective tariffs and bounties; while the Socialists .‘are plotting for the'overthrow of the military party. The General has met these difficulties by th-eatening drastic measures- against all who refuse to obey, and he has issued orders that troops are to use arms and shoot en masse if necessary. The new Grandee is certainly a strong man, but he will . need 1 all his strength if he is to remain.