Once more last week Catalonians went to the polls and voted their desire for independence from Madrid. In the four Catalonian provinces (Barcelona, Lerida, Tarragona, Gerona) 173,000 voted for autonomy, 2,517 voted against it. It was a 70 to 1 victory for Col. Francisco Macia, wild-eyed "President" of Catalonia, a victory that he celebrated with much gusto.
"Catalans," he shouted from the white balcony of Barcelona's Generalidad Palace, "You are free! The moment the Catalan autonomy statute gains full force, I shall resign!"
"No! No!" shouted 10,000 Catalans milling about the cobblestones.
Col. Macia bowed his white head in resignation.
"If Catalonia wishes, I...
