REALITY AND ROYALTY

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 40, 17 February 1931, Page 9

REALITY AND ROYALTY

G-UERRA TELLS KING

MUST BOW TO FACTS

LONDON, 15th February. "Reality is more powerful than Eoyalty," was the remark that the oxPremier, Senor Jose Guerra, leader of the Valencia revolt against General Do Bivera, made to King Alfonso during discussions on the present constitutional problems of Spain, according to the Madrid correspondent of "The Times." These problems, which have been racking Spain since the Napoleonic invasion, wero sholvcd in 1876, when Kiug Alfonso's father ascended to the throne, but they are now a burning quostion owing to King Alfonso's support of the Dictatorship. It was the Comte de Romanones — a staunch Boyalist, reputed £o be the most astute of the old school of politicians —who put a mafceh to tho powder. Hia agreement to enter candidates at the elections encouraged General Berenguer, tho President, to persist in a policy which tho Constitutionalists opposed. THE COUNT AND HIS ALLY. The Cornte de Bomanones, with an ally in the ex-Premier, the Marquis Alhueomas —nicknamed "undertaker of the Constitution," owing to his pusillanimity when Greneral De Bivera soized the Dictatorship—decided indirectly to join tho Constitutionalists by demanding new elections immediately. Senor Narciso Cortes, poet and writer, elected by the Constitutionalists, objected to this, declaring that a double election was. a waste of time. Tho solution is handicapped as _ the King is consulting only politicians whoso heyday has passed, inasmuch as it is eight years since the last election. The result is that a new Spain is at present emerging witfliout having recognised spokesmen. The Comte do Bomanones, in reply to criticisms, declares that the elimination of General Berenguer alone greatly served the nation. PERSONALITY OF CrUERKA. Jose Sanchez Guorra, as the leador of tho Monarchical Conservatives, is_ the outstanding personality of the crisis. | He is a man of great energy—a vigorous thinker who is an .upholder of Monarchy, but is radically hostile to King Alfonso. Tho fact that he has I been called in to advise tho throne shows how far against the Crown the j movement has gone. It was regarded as doubtful whether j Senor Alba would return to Madrid unless he received an undertaking that King Alfonso was ready to abandon the traditional policy of Spanish monarchy. Unbiased,; judges of the situation bo- J lieve that King Alfonso is unlikely to proceed to extremities in order to save the throne, but will accept the situation if overwhelming public opinion is evidenced in favour of his abdication. KING PERSONALLY POPULAR. Tho King is personally popular owing to his manifest courage and sporting proclivities, and his happy and unceremonious manneTS.

Curiously enoxigh, Sunday was the first day of a carnival. No stranger would ever believe that the country is facing tho most critical time in fifty years. Thousands paraded the streets of Madrid in fancy dress, and laughter and merriment were general.