SPANISH AFFAIRS.

Hokitika Guardian, 17 September 1923, Page 2

SPANISH AFFAIRS.

MARTIAL LAW PROCLAIMED, juSTRALIAtt AND ILi. CABLE ASSOCIATION MADRID, Sept. 14 Kin.* Alfonso has arrived here. He at once conferred with the Premier, after which it was announced that the Cabinet had resigned. A semi-final statement declares that the expression “military revolt incorrectly describes tho position. lb emphasises that calm prevails in Madrid, in Barcelona, Saragossa, Bilbao, and the other principal towns. The troops everywhere are confined to tlieir barracks. The streets all wear thenaccustomed aspect. The shops and offices arc open, and work has not ceased. 1„ Barcelona, the military action is only visible in the occupation of the telegraph and telephone offices. General Dorivorn (head of the new fivement) has published a telegram which he has received, signed by the Captain-General of Madrid and bun generals, adhering to the movement, pending the arrival of the King, who would decide what should be done. General Derivera, in a statement tn the Press, declares that be was inspired by the example, not of Mussolini but of the Spanish hero. General Prim. BARCELONA, Sept, 14 General Derivera has announced that King Alfonso has telegraphically accepted the directory which the Military Party lire instituting, under the presidency of General Derivera.

The King also accepted General Do livcra’s proposal to extend martial lav to Spain.

General Derivera is proceeding to Madrid in response to a summons.

General Derivera is 50 years of age. He is the youngest Lieut-General in Spain. He has previously served as War Minister, and he was recently the Military Governor of Madrid. He moved to Barcelona, after making a vio- , lent speech against the late Govern* ' incut which has just resigned. Bnrecdona is the industrial centre of Spain. Is. is seething with anarchy, Catalonia being the “Ireland” Spain, and an ; “Ireland’’ that is still under an “Act ,of Union,” and is thus held down by troops who have no sympathy with the .''Catalonian separatists. ( For a long time, Catalonia was akin '■to the state of Lombardy before the Mussolini movement. ; General Derivera is Anglophile, and he was almost the only Spanish general who was pro-AUv during the world war. As the Marquis d’Kstella, General Derivera is a grandee of Spain,,and he is the devoted friend of King Alfonso, as are most of the generals directing the coup d’etat. The latest telegram from Madrid shows General Derivera’s policy is designed against the Government’s inaction in connection with the Moroccan problem, though General Derivera is personally opposed to the occupation of Morocco. The militarists also complain of the Government's weak handling of social problems, particularly their squalamish treatment of the terrorists, who are never condemned by tlie courts, even when the v are arrested. The politicians of all parties are unanimous that the formation of a Military Cabinet is now essential, as no civil politician would lie able to bold office without being faced by continual threats. MADRID. Sept. 15 Martial law has been proclaimed.