Precocious Minister

Like an ivory chessman smashed by a petulant master the career of a young Spanish politician snapped in two last week, when Dictator General Primo de Rivera demanded his resignation and received it in a loosely oval hand.

Fifteen months ago this precocious young man, Dr. Jose Yanguas, then Professor of International Law at the University of Madrid, was given the portfolio of Foreign Minister (TIME, Dec. 14, 1925), an honor and a responsibility usually reserved for men of ripe age and riper experience.

As Foreign Minister, Dr. Yanguas gave orders to Spain's ambassadors in every capital. Some were diplomats twice his age. But his 15-month regime has been ill starred.

Described as "mystic, intransigeant, impetuous," Dr. Yanguas has stood so firmly on the letter of Spain's international rights that: 1) Spain quit the League of Nations after making politically impossible demands for a Permanent League Council Seat (TIME, March 29, 1926 et seq.); 2) In Paris, last week, a secret Franco-Spanish parley concerning Morocco broke down after prolonged negotiations.

With the political snuffing out of Dr. Yanguas, last week, League well-wishers hoped that Spain would again send a representative to League sessions--a course perfectly open to her, since the Spanish resignation from the League does not take effect for another twelvemonth, and may be withdrawn in the meantime.

Instead of appointing a new Foreign Minister, last week, Dictator Premier Primo de Rivera took this portfolio himself.