POSITION OF THE KING.

Press, Volume LXVII, Issue 20168, 21 February 1931, Page 15

POSITION OF THE KING.

REFUSAL OF DEMANDS

("UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION —BY* ELECTRIC telegraph—copyright.) LONDON, February 19. The Madrid correspondent of tho "Daily Telegraph" transmits an interesting fitory of how the plot to involvo King Alfonso in a renunciation of his Royal' prerogative broke down. It is known that Senor Guerra took to the Palace a document for the Royal signa ture committing his Majesty to immediate political inactivity and impotence. It is also knbwn that he had in his pocket for tho King a list of nominees for a Cabinet. It is known, further, that Senor Guerra came from tho Palace saying-that he never produced tho list to the; Kirig owing to its inherent unsuitability. Everybody is why Senor Guerra changed his mind in regard to presenting the list, and the answer generally accepted is that King Alfonso refused to relinquish his prerogative. Senor Guerra, foreseeing that this would involve conflict between the' Crown and tho country if stressed by him, came from tho palace with the list still in his pocket, confessing his own failure at the psychological moment to produce it. - Ih'o situation is not dissimilar to that in Bernard Shaw's play, "The Apple Cart," in which King Magnus upsets the Ministry's apple cart by agreeing to abdicate, but announcing his intention to become Parliamentary candidate for the ltoyal Borough of Windsor. The Ministry, foreseeing that King Magnus would be and form hiß own party, preferred him to stay on the throne. An earlier message says that although the general impression is that Admiral Aznar's acceptance of tho Premiership really means that King 'Alfonso has rallied the "old gang" to the aid of the Throne, it is'hoped that. Admiral Aznar will assure the impartiality of the coming elections. Tho npw Premier states that his aim is to re-establish norma! constitutional government. Tho Ministry is really a coalition of all parties exoept the Republicans and Socialists. _ The strong man of tho vabmet will be Count'Homanones.