AFFAIRS IN SPAIN

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 7 September 1926, Page 5

AFFAIRS IN SPAIN

TROUBLE WITH TROOPS.

CONFINED TO ARTILLERY MANY OFFICERS ARRESTED.. BY CABLE—PRESS ASSOCIATION- -COPYRIGHT. Received 10.40 a.m. to-day. MADRID, Sept. 6. An official statement has been issued to the effect that the attitude of all the forces except the artillery has 'been perfectly disciplined, all showing a wish to do their duty. The Chief of Staff, with a section of infalntry,| •visited the first regiment of artillery’s barracks and demanded the resignation, of the commandant and the surirender of the barracks. The order (was immediately obeyed. Two other artillery barracks which ref used to obey were surrounded with caivalry and infantry. . After negotiations the officer* submitted. STRICT CENSORSHIP ENFORCED. GOVERNMENT’S ACTION SUCCESSFUL.

LONDON, Sept.. 0,

A message front Madrid states, that King Alfonso displayed his customary activity when the Government’s request lor an audience reached him. He .eft San Sebastian at 2 a.m., motored all night, and reached Madrid at 8 aim.'; having covered 250 miles in six hours. . .When he had received General de Riviera’s' report, his Majesty reiterated his confidence that the Directorate would be able to- qued the artillery's insubordination

The newspapers are under strict censorship, tmd telegraph and telephone communications are suspended, so that semi-official information alone is issuing frorn Madrid. This suggests that the Government is meeting the crisis with- success in most centres. It- appears that bloodshed lias been avoided, though there are reports that the Mutiny of the garrison at Segovia had to be forcibly suppressed . The official journal has published a decree announcing that all who resist the Government or put difficulties in its way will be considered rebels. The decree also ordered that officers and .soldiers should not obey the artillery generals and other, senior officers, but arrest them if the latter venture to oppose authority. The Daily Express Paris correspondent expresses the opinion that De Rivera intends to aim at the formation of an alliance of European dictators, and particularly hopes Signor Mussolini will help him to work out a new Mediterranean policy, which would be Spain’s answer to the affront received at Geneva. The Daily Chronicle’s Paris correspondent asserts that grave dissent has arisen between King Alfonso and De Rivera, and that the revolt of the* artillery was due to the King siding with tlie iunta of artillery officers, who are mostly aristocrats. Semi-official statements received from Madrid, however represent King Alfonso as working cordially with the Government,

REVOLT OF ARTILLERYMEN

NORMALITY HAS BEEN . RESTORED. MATURED, Sept. (S. King Alfonso has arrived. He "ranted an audience to General Re Rivera and reiterated his confidence, in the Government, which has received the adherence of the municipalities, citizens and military men. _ _ ' It is reported that perfect discipline characterises .the artillery reservists and non-artillery men. Normality has been restored and the Segovia artillery officers!' are confined to barracks. Three regiments id Madrid were disarmed by infantry picket. LONDON, Sept. The Daily Mail’s Madrid correspondent reports that it has been officially announced that the revolt of the artjl lory men has been suppressed and quiet has been restored throughout the chief provincial centres. The streets are being patrolled by normal crowds, who flocked, to the bull rings and other places of amusement, displaying little interest in political events. 1 PARIS, Sept. 3.

Reports received from Cadiz via. Gibraltar state that the Spanish warships there are supporting the- artillery who are, confined to barracks. A similar situation exists in Barcelona.