THE SPANISH THRONE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 50, 1 March 1939, Page 7

THE SPANISH THRONE

FRANCO’S INTENTION J INVITATION TO DON JUAN (Independent Cable Service.) Received Feb. 28, 5.5 p.m. LONDON, Feb. 27. | It is learned from a most reliable l Spanish source in London that Genjeral Franco intends to invite to the throne Don Juan, Prince of Asturias who is at present in Rome. A report that General Franco was endeavouring to unify his support by moving to restore the Spanish monarchy was contained in an article written by George Axelsson, at Paris, for the New York Times two years ago. He stated that General Franco was reported to have sent an envoy to Portugal to ask Don Manuel Falcond, the Carlist leader, to supoprt Don Juan, Prince of Asturias, for King. “The Traditionalists, who are General Franco’s only really dependable support, are the aristocrats, military men, and the Catholic Church, the

same pillars on which the monarch leaned for support,” the article stated. “Therefore it is regarded as natural that General Franco in his hour of need should look to the Bourbons, in this case Don Juan, former King Alfonso’s third son, who would be proclaimed King with General Franco at his side playing the Mussolini role.

“One drawback to the plan attributed to General Franco is that Alfonso XIII never abdicated. But reports from Lausanne, Switzerland, where the former King is now staying reiterate that Alfonso is conferring with Spanish Traditionalist leaders, and this would seem to bear out. the supposition that General Franco is trying to make a deal to have Alfonso abdicate in favour of his son. “Alfonso’s chief counsellor since the Duke of Miranda died, the Count de los Andes, is an active Franco worker from the unofficial Nationalist. Consulate at Saint-Jean-de-Luz, France.”