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Hokitika Guardian, 22 April 1931, Page 4

Spain is going to find it easier to aisphnc a king than lo restore ban and order with the newly founded Rcpublic. 'I In 1 King’s aiidication was agreed to to save bloodshed, and Alfonso is deserving of all credit for putting the people's weal before his own interests. The Monarchy has not been popular in Spain for a long period. A form of caste existed, and Alfonso was not equal to being ad tilings to all men. The country, it, would appear, is likely to he torn asunder with the aspirations of the different, localities. •Separate units are likely to spring up, ;|hd the ultimate difficulty will bt> to hold the whole together nationally. There is one province separated anil claimilig independence action, and the chances are. that other sections will be inclined to act similarly. Tim Republican authority will take some time time to organise and assert itself as a material force. In isolated localities it will no doubt marshall its forces quickly, but Spain is a large and difficult country, and ordered control from a central authority without the moving machinery will not he easy. There i- also the no-sihjlitv of religions diff erences arising to breach the Republican parties, while the .Monarchist element lias In lie considered, also. The King and his royal fami-Ty evidently purpose making England their harbour of refuge. The King’s bride came from England and they and thejr family have been frequent visitors to Britain. The English folk are sure to offer a safe sanctuary, whence the trials and troubles ahead of Spain can he viewed with comfortable vantage. Snain has not enjoyed Monarohial Government as British people have it. Of late years it has been largely a dictatorship with the King as nominal head. This form of government has not proved as successful ns it has in Italy, for Primo de Riviera did not prove himself a Alussolini. and Alfonso was rather more volatile than the King of Italy. Spain’s immediate future is sure to he difficult, for it will not he an easy task to bring about an ordered form of government very readily. The choice however is largely one of the people, and they must abide the consequences.