IN SPAIN

Hokitika Guardian, 18 April 1931, Page 5

IN SPAIN

KING ALFONSO IN PARIS,

A RECORD WELCOME

(United Press Association— -By Electro Telegraph—Copyngh t).

PARIS. April 17

King Alfonso arrived at eleven o’cioi k yestm.ay night. He descended iii.m Ids train into a maelslrcm <J welcome. Probably no monarch ans ever before iu such a predicament. unless one going to an execution. As the King's I rain steamed in there was a terrific roar of ‘‘Vive !.e Roi!” ‘‘Vive El Rev.” It nearly lifted the glass roof Irom the Care He Lyon station. Thousands of people surged and struggled towards the last coach, where the At-ing was known to he travelling. His Majesty’s staff disappeared amid the rush of Monarchist welcomers. Despite the efforts of the police the shouts were redoubled as the cinema, lights flared up, hut the King, though he was helpless and haggard, went on smiling like the sportsman that he is, and: he kept his head. If any reception by the Government was contemplated it was completely short-ciieuited hy the tumult. It took His Majesty a quarter of an hour to push his way to his ear. in which there were the Duke of Miranda and S'enor Leon,

The King then plunged his way through a mass of deliriously nochiiniing people to the Hotel Maurice, where the crowds gave an ovation to tne King and Queen Ena. when later they appeared on the balcony. King Alfonso told the Prefect of Police, M, Chiappe that lie was deeply touched with the warmth of the reception. KING'S PROPERTY. MADRID, April 10. jhe personal property of King .Alfonso whose fortune is estimated at two millions sterling, will he safeguarded and handed over to whom he designates. FINANCIAL ANXIETY. MOVE TO SEND CAPITAL ABROAD. MADRID. April 16. A number of wealthy clients have demanded that the Banks shall transfer their deposits abroad. The Government has countered this move, the issuing of a decree forbidding it. There has also been a riotous scene at the State Savings Bank. A thousand depositors aUomped to break down the closed doors of the Bank, following cm the report that there were insufficient funds to meet, the liabilities,

CATALONIA. C'ONTR A D.l CTO RY R KFORTS. LONDON. April 16. “The Times’s’’ Barcelona correspondent reports that Genera] Alacia has reached an agreement with .Madrid, and that the title of the Republic of Catalonia is to bp dropped, and the region under his control is to be known as the State of Catalonia in the Republic; of Spain. THE CATALONIA LEADER. LONDON. April 16. <<Tlm Timos’s” Madrid correspondent states:—“The new Spanish Government’s gravest preoccupation is in Catalonia, where General Alacia who formerly was She separatist leader there, has proclaimed a republic and has appointed his own government. The General controls the situation, and he insists that Catalonians dealing with Abidrid shall he those of one power with another. There is no trace of meekness in the attitude of Catalonia, which will demand an equal partnership with Spain, but a civil war is not unlikely. ORDERS TO POLICE. (Received 11.30 a.m.) MADRID. April 17. Fearing arrest, four ex-Alonarchist Alinist-ers fled to Portugal. The new Republican Police have been ordered not to exercise violence against the pacific manifestations of citizens and above all to respect individual liberty, property and religious beliefs.

'flic Government is taking an inventory of the Royal Palace with a view to handing over the personal beof Kiuil A Ifonso. A hitherto mu outirmed report states :—After King Alfonso’s departure a red canned mob tried to force the Pahue gates. \u account now given by one ol the Queen’s ladio-in-wniimc shows that the <rowd seething and uncontrolled bv shouting insults, deinam.ed admittance. Finally a heavy motor lorry tried to batten the mam gates, but a. prior precaution saved the sit-

uation. , 1,,. The lady pays a high tribute to h. Queen, who alone and tearless, e.i ui ed the trembling entourage. The first woman to occupy an impoit•int political position in >pam it;l Victoria Kent, the Augio-Spamsl, l,;n-t-ist >r. whom Albornaz appointed Director General of Prisons.

KING ALFONSO. PARIS. April 17. King Alfonso lias adopted the m coguito of the Duke of Toledo.