CRISIS IN SPAIN AGAIN

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 592, 19 February 1929, Page 9

CRISIS IN SPAIN AGAIN

KING AND DICTATOR LATTER’S THREAT TO RESIGN (Australian and N.Z. Press Association) LONDON, Monday. The Paris correspondent of the “Daily Express” says a political crisis in Spain occurred at the week-end. It was the result of a death-bed plea made by the late Dowager-Queen, Marie Christina. The correspondent states that uncensored dispatches received in Paris by mail from Madrid show that a few hours before the Dowager-Queen died she besought King Alfonso to save Senor Sanchez Guerra, the former Prime Minister who is under arrest, from further punishment and degradation. She recalled Senor Guerra’s previous services to the Royal House and the State. King Alfonso solemnly promised his mother to do his utmost. After the Dowager-Queen’s funeral he interceded with the Prime Minister, General Primo de Rivera, regarding an amnesty for Senor Guerra and some of the rebels concerned in the reecnt attempted risings. General Anido, Minister of the Interior. refused to assent to amnesty, declaring that weer General Guerra to be pardoned it would be interpreted as weakness. General de Rivera, therefore, handed King Alfonso the resignation of the Cabinet. The King considered the situation all day. Finally he withdrew his request for Senor Guerra’s pardon and askpd General de Rivera to remain in office.

The Paris correspondent of the “Daily Chronicle” says there was an angry scene between King Alfonso and tbo Dictator when General de Rivera handed in his resignation. It is no secret, he says, that the King on many occasions has used his personal influence to render the dictatorial rule of the Prime Minister as mild as possible.