The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. WEDNESDAY, MAY 7, 193o. UNREST IN SPAIN.

Hokitika Guardian, 7 May 1930, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. WEDNESDAY, MAY 7, 1930. UNREST IN SPAIN.

Tiib resignation of General Primo ‘tie liivera from the position of Spanish Dictator, which he had held since 1923, and his subsequent death, occurred so suddenly that even those commentators best qualified to forecast the political future of the country appear to be somewhat at a loss for words. King Alfonso was at least in part responsible for General de Rivera’s decision to resign and meet the immediate difficulty by asking General D’amaso Berenguer to form a Cabinet, which he straightway did; but the significance of the new regime, says the Dunedin 'J imes, is variously interpreted, both in Spain and abroad. The most recent cnibiie messages from Madrid report outbreaks of rioting 4n Barcelona, situated in the territory in which the more hot-headed Spaniards are to be found, and it is suggested that the security of the Crown is threatened. Such an assumption seems to ho supported by Sonor del Vayo, Madrid correspondent of the Manchester Guardian, who writing, shortly before the fall of the dictatorship, hinted that the dynasty would become involved in difficulties were a return made to a constitutional form of government. Sir Charles Petrie, on the other hand, in an article in a current review, desenoes as “the most reassuring fact in Spain to-day” the strength of the monarchy and the personality of the King. Tt certainly becomes evident, in the light of recent events in Spain, llu.it a section of public thought representing the Left believes the King’s aequios' once in the violation of ti.e Constitution, as his acceptance of General de Rivera’s seizure of the reins pi Government is interpreted, requires some explanation. General Berenguer has promised to hold parliamentary elections ‘‘as soon as possible,” and if and when Parliament is reconstituted there seems little doubt that the Re-

publicans and Socialists will take the

.t,rst opportunity of discussing the King’s action in regard to the formation of the Bictature, and possibly they will also revive the old question of his alleged implication in the hushing up of the report on the Spanish military disasters in connection with the Moroccan campaign. The strength of General Berengucf’s administration, however, remains to be proved. 1 His term in office lias commenced not inauspiciously with the settlement of the student strike which had practically paralysed the academic life of Spain, and it may well be that the majority of Spaniards, who are not disposed to engage.in revolutionary activities if they can avoid it, will be prepared to accept ins assurances that in due course full civil rights will be restored to the nation. Until more explicit information is supplied as to the nature of the present disorders in Spain, / it woimbe unwise to attach too much importance to the Republican demonstrations reported in the cable news.