Riots at Bilbao.—In this town trade disputes between masters and workmen have developed into rioting and street fighting. We are not sufficiently conversant with the circumstances of the case to pronounce an opinion on the conduct of parties. There are, however, one or two items in the newspaper account of the matter which have a significance of their own. The Glasgow Herald of this day (October 30) reports that “the strikers looted a large quantity of explosives, which they used afterwards to destroy the
railway lines and to blow in the doors of the Jesuits.” Further it says—”The priests keep indoors, as they dare not trust themselves in the streets.” We have no doubt the workmen of Bilbao have a good case against the Jesuits and the priests. However, this method of dynamite and violence is not the right way to obtain redress, “For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.” Let us note, however, the attitude of these Bilbao artisans towards Jesuits and priests. They regard them as mischiefmakers and enemies of their welfare. These minions of Rome will no doubt take up attitudes of injured innocence and moral indignation, but their pestilent influence, writ large on the face of Spain’s poverty-stricken fields and inglorious history, is a notable commentary on the results of priestcraft. Neither the independence of the British character nor the resources of the British Empire will avert from ourselves the same descent into poverty and degradation if these locusts and birds of prey are calmly allowed to breed and nestle in the choice places of our privileged island.