KING AND DICTATOR

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 124, 19 February 1929, Page 11

KING AND DICTATOR

INNER HISTORY OF SPANISH CRISIS ALFONSO’S PROMISE TO DYING MOTHER ATTEMPT TO SAVE GUERRA (United Press Association.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.). Australian Press Association. i (Rec. February 18, 7.5 p.m.) London, February 18. The Paris correspondent of the “Daily Express” states that a deathbed plea of the Spanish Queen Mother resulted in a political crisis. Week-end uncensored mail dispatches from Madrid show that a few hours before her death the Dowager Queen besought King Alfonso to save Sanchez Guerra from .further punishment and degradation, recalling his previous services to the Royal House and the State. King Alfonso solemnly promised his mother that he would do his utmost. After the Dowager’s funeral he interceded with De Rivera regarding an amnesty for some of the rebels. General Anido, Minister of the Interior, however, refused to assent, declaring that Guerra’s pardon would be interpreted as weakness. De Rivera therefore handed King Alfonso the Cabinet’s resignation. Alfonso then considered the situation throughout the day, and finally withdrew his request for Guerra’s pardon, asking De Rivera to remain in office. The correspondent states that there was an angry scene between the King and the Dictator, when De Rivera handed in his resignation. It is no secret that King Alfonso on many occasions has used personal influence to render the dictatorial rule as mild as possible. |