Crash of Dictatorship

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 884, 30 January 1930, Page 11

Crash of Dictatorship

POLITICAL CRISIS IN SPAIN De Rivera’s Downfall GOVERNMENT TO RETURN RIOTING continued in Spain a* tlie result of the sudden . collapse of the Dictatorship and the resignation of General Primo de Rivera. Spain is returning to constitutional Government under General Berenguer, who is forming a Cabinet. The new head of the Government says the crisis was a genuine surprise.

United P. .I. —By Telegraph—Copyright Reed. 9.10 a.m. MADRID, Wednesday. In his critical interview with the King, de Rivera apologised for having overlooked the Royal authority, but his Majesty apparently informed him he no longer enjoyed his confidence, and forthwith accepted his resignation. Primo de Rivera, in a farewell message, said:—"lt is imperative for me to seek health, but I pray I may return to serve Spain, in whatever capacity, till my'death.” General Berenguer declares the crisis was a genuine surprise. He announces the transition of Spain to normal constitutional Government. “I plan to remain in power only till I restore normal conditions,” he said. “I am no political party. I do not know who will he my Ministers.” Minor rioting continued throughout the night. The Palace was strongly guarded. Troops were posted everywhere. Police packed the square fronting the Palace. Tlie Civil Guard and Artillery are confined to the barracks until the country is settled. NEW CONSTITUTION Throughout yesterday the King received intimations by telephone, telegraph and personal calls, that the garrisons would support any Government entrusted with his confidence. All classes tonight took the utmost precautions to avoid uprisings. The Civil Guard and Artillery were ordered to remain in barracks. A typical example of the censorship in force is the fact that not a single newspaper in Spain had published the news of General de Rivera’s resignation until this evening. General Berenguer informed a representative of the British United Press that if the situation cannot be solved he will form a Cabinet, because he will unconditionally serve the King and the Motherland. General Berenguer is in a strong position with the army, and is respected bribe party leaders. A Cabinet formed by him will be a bridge between a Dictatorship and a Government which will be formed under constitutional conditions. RIOTS AMONG STUDENTS It is believed that General de Rivera’s National Assembly, appointed by decree, will be dissolved. Students started rioting in Madrid this evening. They shouted: “We will not have Berenguer. No more generals.” Police were forced to draw their swords and made a number of arrests. One girl was injured by a stone thrown at a policeman. The students tried to hoist the red flag outside the Palace, hut were dispersed. General de Rivera remained jocular

and breezy to the end. Standing in a doorway at the Palace, he said to a group of photographers: “This probably will be the last picture you will take of me.” General Berenguer has always been regarded as hostile to General de Rivera. Nevertheless, the latter, in announcing his successor, said General Berenguer was thoroughly competent to handle the affairs of the country. He theu sang his praises for a considerable time. TO LEAVE THE ARMY General de Rivera’s last words officially were: “I am going home to have supper quietly. I think you will agree I well deserve it.” Subsequently he said he was going to leave the army. General Berenguer remained at the office in the Palace until General tie Rivera left. Then he entered the Royal chambers. He emerged two hours later and said: “I came as a soldier to fulfil my duty. I will act as a citizen.” He refused to say whether his Ministry would be composed of civil or military elements, answering only: “it will be a Government. Tlie first evening paper published the news of General de Rivera’s resignation in a special edition. In the meantime the news had been spread verbally in the clubs and cafes, where there were scenes of animated discussion. But tho average citizen seemed to be unconcerned At Barcelona revolvers were fired in a clash between the police and students. One civilian was wounded by a shot fired by a student. REVOLT SIMMERING A revolt had been planned at Cadiz but it was abandoned on receipt of the news from the capital. • It is stated that the immediate cause of the Dictator’s resignation was the expulsion of four officers from Seville. That was followed by the resignation of the Captain-General of Seville, the Infante Carlos, a cousin of King Alfonso. He said he did not wish longer to retain command of the garrison, which was threatening to revolt. This obliged General de Rivera to take action, and it explains his Note asking his chiefs of the Army and Navy if they were satisfied with his regime. The reply of the Infante Carlos is not known, but General Barera, Captain-General of Catalonia, arrived at Madrid yesterday morning, and immediately saw the. King. The reply of the Navy was: ‘Your question is political. We are not politicians.” In tendering his resignation General de Rivera said he realised he had made a mistake in issuing the Note.