SPAIN: Hobson's Choice

• Share

Last week Generalissimo Francisco Franco ordered the Spanish people to vote on his new law of succession. A yes vote would not only make Franco "Chief of State" for life in a kingless "kingdom," but would give him the legal right to name the king or regent who would succeed him. A no vote simply meant that Franco would continue as dictator of Spain, without even a shadowy commitment to restore the monarchy.

Franco hoped to lure monarchists, who form his strongest opposition, into the Government camp. He had used the trick successfully before to divide his enemies; his maneuver amounted to a promise that the monarchists could eventually have the sort of regime they want, if they will support him, as a bulwark against Communism, in his lifetime.

This time the monarchists were wary, and advised their followers to drop blanks in the ballot boxes. Few dared to abstain from voting, for failure to vote could be punished by fines, reduced rations or loss of jobs.

The voters obediently trooped to the polls. The result, as expected, was an overwhelming (12-to-1) endorsement of Franco's new law.