UNPOPULAR.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 87, 14 April 1931, Page 7

UNPOPULAR.

SPANISH MONARCHY. Emphatic Republican Vote in Municipal Polls. EXCITEMENT IN MADRID. (United P.A.—Electric Telegraph—Copyright) (Received 11.30 a.m.) MADRID, April 13. A victory for the Republicans and Socialists, which demonstrates the anti-dynastic feeling of the majority of the Spaniards, is indicated by the early results of the elections in 9000 municipalities in Spain. The Republicans and Socialists have won 30 seats in Madrid and the Monarchists 20. The Monarchists were successful in only two out of 20 provincial towns. "If the Republicans think the Cabinet will recommend that King Alfonso abdicate, they are wrong," declared Senor de la Cierva, Minister of Works. He claims that the final results of the election show that 05 per cent of the councillors returned are Monarchists.

The outstanding surprise of the elections was ' that Santander, the King's summer resort, returned 25 Republicans ami 15 Monarchists. The Republicans' most remarkable victory was at Guadalajara, Count Romanones' parliamentary seat, which was regarded as a certainty for the Liberals, but the Republican majority was overwhelming. Excited crowds thronged Madrid all day. Queues of voters lined up before the opening of the polling booths. Senor Romi anones waited in i queue for an hour. Senor Zamora was carried shoulderhigh through the streets after he had voted and was hailed as the saviour of Spain. The excitement was at fever-heat in the evening. Motorists drove through the street announcing the Republican victories through megaphones. The "Daily Mail's" Madrid correspondent says King Alfonso is surprised at j , the sweeping Republican victories. It is considered probable that the Government will resign immediately, but there is no indication the King's position is likely to be altered. He has not the slightest intention of abdicating. " It is pointed out that these are the first elections since Genera] .Primo dc Rivera established his dictatorship, and the people have taken the earliest opportunity to protest against that. The Madrid correspondent of the '•Manchester Guardian" says the aeneral opinion is that the outcome of the" municipal elections will be a Republican regime or a fresh dictatorship. Count Romanones told foreign journalists -that the day could not have gone worse for the Government.

CHALLENGE TO KING. REPUBLICAN MANIFESTO. (Received 1 p.m.) MADRID, April 13. A manifesto, which is regarded as a challenge to King Alfonso, has appeared in the newspapers signed by the Republican leaders. It declares: "If those in power have not yet learned the lesson of yesterday's elections, we Republicans are willing to assume the task of restoring a republic with full responsibility before the nation and before the foreign Rowers." I