BRINK OF VOLCANO

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 25, 30 January 1930, Page 9

BRINK OF VOLCANO

THREATENING REVOLT.

END OF DICTATORSHIP

MADEID, 28th January.

The immediate cause of the Dictator's resignation was the expulsion of four officers from Seville, which' was followed by tho resignation of the Captain General of Soville, the Infante Carlos, cousin of King Alfonso, who stated that he did not wish longer _to retain command of a garrison which was threatening revolt. This obliged General De Kivera to take action, ana explains the note cabled On Sundayasking the chiefs of the army and navy, if they were satisfied with his regime. The reply of Carlos is unknown, but General Barera, Captain-General of Catalonia, arrived in 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 Eivera said: "I realise I made a mistake in issuing the note." The Premier apologised to the King, but King Alfonso apparently informed him that he no longer enjoyed His Majesty's confidence, and the latter forthwith accepted the resignation, though he agreed not to publish the fact before the night's Cabinet. , Throughout the day the King received intimations, by telephone, telegraph, and personal calls, of the garrison's support of any Government entrusted with the King's confidence. All classes to-night took the utmost precautions to avoid uprisings. The civil guard and the artillery are ordered jto remain in barracks.

A typical example of tha censorship is the fact that not a single newspaper in Spain published General de Bivera's resignation.

i PINAI, SCENES.

General Berenguer informed the British United Press that if the situation cannot bo solved ho will form a Cabinet, because he will unconditionally; serve the King and the Motherland.

General Berenguer is in a strong position in the army and is respected by party leaders. His Cabinet will be a bridge betweou the Dictatorship and the Government, which will be formed under Constitutional conditions. It is believed that General de Rivera's Assembly, appointed by decree, will be dissolved, i

General Bereuguer, in a statement, said ho would not act as an officer, but as a civilian.

General de Rivera remained jocular and breezy to the end. Standing in tho doorway of the Palace, he told photographers, "This probably will be the last picture you will take of me here."

General Berengcr always has been regarded as hostile to General de Rivera. Nevertheless the latter, in announcing his successor, said General Berengeur was thoroughly competent to handle the country's affairs sad sang his praises for a considerable time. General de Rivera's last words officially were: "I am going home to have suppor quietly. I think you will agree I well deserve it." Subsequently ac said he was going to leave the armjr. General Berengeur remained at the office of the Palace from 7.30 until General de Rivera left, and then entered the Royal Chambers and emerged at 9.50. He said: "I come as a. soldier to fulfil my duty. I will act as a citizen." He refused to say whether the Ministry would be composed of civil or military elements, answeringl only: "It will be a Government."

Later the first evening paper published the news in a special edition at 10.15. In the meantime the new* spread verbally, and clubs and cafes were scenes of animated discussions, but tho average citizen seemed uncoaeornod.

Students started rioting in Madrid in the evening, shouting: "We won't have Berenguer. No more generals." The police were forced to draw their swords and make a number of arrest*. The students tried to hoist i the Red flag outside the Royal Palace, but were dispersed. A girl was wounded by a stone thrown at a policeman. In Barcelona rovolvers were fired during a clash between the police and students. One civilian was wounded by a shot fired1 by a student.

A revolt planned in Cadiz was abandoned on receipt of the news from, tho. capital. '