Restoration of Monarchy Probable

Manawatu Times, Volume 67, Issue 112, 5 September 1942, Page 5

Restoration of Monarchy Probable

Received Friday, 11.40 p.m. NEW YORK, Sept. S. The New York Times' Washington correspondent says the reshuffle of the Spanish Government is regarded as favourable for the Democracies sines Sunsr was conspicuously pro-Axis. Observers hssitate to express a definite opinion until it can be discerned to what extent the shake-up resulted from frictions Inside the Falange, but point out that Washington recently started efforts to maintain Spain as a non-belligerent buffer between Occupied Europe and Gibraltar and Africa. Furthermore it was realised that Spanish-American relations were improving because Franco is believed to be determined upon neutrality. Washington sources also received reports that the Spanish Church and Army were increasingly opposed to Suner’s pro-Nazi policy. The Berne correspondent of the New York Times says informed circles interpret the reshuffle as the first of several moves preceding the return of Alfonso’s son Don Juan to the tnrone. The whereabouts cf the ousted ministers is unknown but it is repdrted that Suner, who is considered responsible for Spain's equivocal position, left Madrid for an undisclosed destination. It la rumoured that he intended a coup d'etat to forestall the monarchical restoration.