The Dictator

Rumors of Spanish political crises are as persistent as the odor of the onions named after the Iberian land. But Captain General Primo Rivera, "Spain's Mussolini," last week insisted that the inescapable effluvium savors not of crises but of peace, joy, contentment.

Speaking at Barcelona, where he inspected a new palace that has been built for Alfonso and his consort, Primo said that business conditions were "not very good but not very bad"; that transit over road and railroad is now safe, because of the vast military forces which patrol them; that the country is under military law only until he (Primo) has finished administering his political purge; that the majority of Spaniards favor the monarchy and hold no republican predilections; that a military expedition is to end Spanish troubles in Morocco during next month --a story similar to many others given out to calm, credulous denizens of Spain.

At an interview in which the Dictator (real name Marquis de Estella) defended his regime, he was described as "robust, determined, democratic, above medium height, with a small bald patch surrounded by dark hair and with an upper lip bristling with mustachios."

He "has 72 titles and more decorations than he can pin on his coat, so he does not wear any except on State occasions." Usually dressed in civilian clothes, he is frequently to be seen in an undress uniform of olive green cloth.

In manner he is affable and courteous. He receives many people from all classes and listens to complaints patiently as he puffs cigarette after cigarette. When he commands, he expects to be obeyed and he intimates this by giving his orders with speed, precision, mastery.