IN SPAIN

Hokitika Guardian, 16 April 1931, Page 5

IN SPAIN

THE SPANISH REPUBLIC.! FURTHER DETAILS. (United Prpsa As#ou&i/ion —By Electric Telegraph—Copyright). (Received 11.30 a.in.) MADRID. April 15. After a seven hour’s drive live <•-•:- entered the dark street ol ( arlagciia, at four o'clock in tin* morning:. I companies of Spanish sailors were drawn up at the dockside as King Alionsf) stepped out. Ihe puhlic were not allowed to witness the departure. After a few handshakes Alfonso walked smartly up the gangway. ‘‘Sir 1 am soiry,” haltingly said the Captain General as he stretched out his hand and grasped Alfonso's <1 or the last time. “Yes, I am only being true to my traditions” replied the King. The Queen and her daughters departed in a special train for France at nine o’clock in the morning. The British Foreign Office learns that Alfonso has arrived in France. CITY REJOICING, MADRID. April to. The city throughout the night was an orgy of rejoicing without disturbance. Pickett sentries kept intruders from the Palnee where the birth of the Republic wins merely signalised by the hoisting qf n how flag, The actual ceremony vims performed by the Minister of the Inferior, U’iio read a formal declaration, then the Republican flag was hoisted above the central balcony, fifty thousand people below cheering freiytodily. There were similar scenes at the Town , Hall, where at -Maura’s request the crowd gave a minute’s silence in honour (A the rebels Galen and Hernand who were executed afeer the rising of Jaea. New decrees, pouring out in (puck succession, aimed at preservation of order and peaceful transition to the Republic. One proclaims April 13 as a national fete day. ALFONSO’S DEPARTI’RE. MADRID, April 15. Further details of Alfonso’s departure show he began his speech to the Palace entourage. ‘‘l depart with a qiviet conscience.” Fie then broke down and later embraced the Queen and lus family and bade them remain jn their rooms and then departed. it was a terrible scene without emotion, till acknowledging the final salutes he feelingly called, out “Long live Spain.” One report states: —The King said ‘‘l have demonstrated I am more democratic than those thinking themselves. The elections showed only one clear thing to do and if 1 ifailtd it would bring civil war. 1 love Spain. SCENES IN BARCELONA. MADRID, April IS. Messages from Barcelona state:— There were scenes akin to the storming of the Bastille, armed peasants holding up vehicles detaining anyone not professing fervid Republicanism Thousands beseiged the gaol demanding the release of political prisoners. Ignorant of the order already given to that effect, the Governor to avert bloodshed liberated the lot, including criminals. Several deaths ocurred overnight in street fighting at Barcelona. The streets of the principal towns throughout Spain were thronged with laughing crowds in carnival spirit. The long cherished dream of Catalonia- was realisd when this morning it proclaimed a separate republic within the Spanish Federation. Ambassadors to Paris and London have resigned and it is expected those to Rome, Washington and Berlin, all of whom are Alfonso’s nominees will | follow the example. DIPLOMATIC ADYICE. LONDON, April 15. Advices if rom diplomatic souices here indicate that Alfonso has not formally abdicated. Nobody yet knows the precise wording of the agreement signed before his departure, but it is believed lie is averting reaction or sudden crisis before making tbe final decision. It is pointed out that Alfon«o is not a man to give in until he is convinced of the nation’s demands. KING ALFONSO. MANIFESTO ISSUED. (Received this day at 1.0 p.m.) PARIS, April 15. The manifesto ex-King Alfonso left at Madrid states:—“The elections told me I have lost the peoples’ love, but my conscience tells me the disaffection will not be permanent, because I have always tried to serve Spain. Though I. inav have erred sometimes, I am King of all Spaniards. 1 renounce none of my rights,. ben use they are a deposit accumulated by history I one day, have to give a strict account of their keeping. 1 am waiting to learn the real expression of public opinion. Until the nation has spoken I