Madrid's post-putsch euphoria has faded fast
From the way Spain's political leaders were behaving, it was hard to believe that democracy had just triumphed over a carefully planned coup attempt. No profound sense of relief pervaded the nation. Instead, the briefly celebrated victory seemed to be turning sour in the realization that, far from being dispelled, the threat of another uprising by franquista military leaders persisted. So cautious was the government in dealing with rebellious elements that, only days after the 18-hour, Feb. 23 takeover of the Spanish parliament by gun-toting soldiers, one...