Varied Reaction to Spanish Monarchist Propaganda

Grey River Argus, 24 March 1949, Page 8

Varied Reaction to Spanish Monarchist Propaganda

[From a Reuters Correspondent in Madrid]

The sentimental reaction of the Spanish man in the street to the photographs and comment allowed m certain newspapers on the recent anniversary of ex-King Alfonso’s death has aroused considerable misgiving among Falangists. Falangist newspapers which refrained from giving any publicity to the anniversary are now issuing' clarion calls urging the party papers to have faith in themselves and ‘‘strengthen the bonds of unity and discipline.” The Falangist organ Arriba stressed in a somewhat cryptic leading article headed “this new opportunity” that ‘‘Spain needs the Palange as the custodian of the political sense of our time.” Although Spain was officially proclaimed a Kingdom following the public referendum held in 1947 on the Law of Succession providing for a King to suceed General Franco in the event of his becoming incapacitated or dying, there is no Monarchist Party as such in Spain. Monarchists are regarded as belonging to the “opposition” and are forbidden to engage in any form of propaganda although some editorial comment and picture of ex-King Alfonso were allowed on March the eighth, anniversary of his death in Rome in 1941. Only “ABC” however, was allowed to publish photographs of Don Juan, the Pretender, and his eleven year old son, Prince Juan Charles. INTEREST AROUSED

The Falangist press has a much smaller circulation than non-party papers, and mild though it was. the Monarchist comment and pictures aroused the interest of a correspondingly larger section of the population. “ABC” and “YA” both leading newspapers who carried the articles and pictures, sold out in much less time than usual. No further Monarchist propaganda has been allowed, or it appears, is likely to be allowed for some time to come. The Falangists are opposed to the person of Don Juan. They would be willing to accept a Monarchist restoration “in due course”—the Law of Succession provides that the successor must not be under thirty years of age in the person of the eleven year old eldest son, Prince Juan Charles, who is at present being educated in Madrid, and whom they believe they could train in the intervening time of their way of thinking. In the meantime they regard high officials, known to be Monarchists but willing to collaborate with General Franco, as “suspects.” They want a permanent statsquo with General Franco as Chief of the State and supreme Falangist leader, and the party the sole political body in the country. As to the rest of Spain, the attitude of the various sections of the community to a restoration of the Monarchy may be summed up as follows:—

, Firstly, the Communists working under cover are against restoration; secondly, the Republicans, Socialists, and Anarchists are divided—some are opposed to a restoration, others would accept the Monarchy provided that it meant the disappearance of General Franco; thirdly, part of the Cabinet, including the' Foreign Minister, many high- officials and army officers, as well as a section of the Monarchists, would welcome Don Juan as King, but 1 on condition that General Franco stayed -too, and the present regime continued; fourthly the Falangist members of the Cabinet—Senor Raimundo Fernandez Cuesta, Minister of Justice, Senor Jose Antonio Giron, Minister of Labour, and Senor Carlos Rein, Minister of Agriculture —adopt the Falangist attitude resolutely opoosing a Restoration, or at. most only in the person of Don Juan’s son, who would be “conditioned” in Falangist discipline during the ten years he would have to wait before he ascended the throne; fifthly, the "pure” Monarchists are opposed to collaboration between Don Juan and the present regime, and want Don Juan’s proclamation as King to coincide with General Franco’s relinguish of power; sixthly, the bulk of the country would as soon see this regime continue, as welcome a Monarchy or anything else —provided that the continuance of the present regime means low prices, 'food and work and stability. What the intentions of General Franco himself may be, few, if any, but himself know.