The Hawera Star. TUESDAY, AUGUST 5, 1930 THE FUTURE OF SPAIN.

Hawera Star, Volume L, 5 August 1930, Page 4

The Hawera Star.

TUESDAY, AUGUST 5, 1930 THE FUTURE OF SPAIN.

Delivered every evening by 6 o clock in Hawera, Manaia, Kaupokonui, Otakeho. Oeo, Pihama. Opunake, Normanby. Okaiawa Eltham, Ngaere. Mangatoki, Aaponga, Awatuna. Te Kiri, Mahoe, Lowearth, Manutahi:' Kakaramea, Alton, Hurleyville Patea, Whenuakura, Waverley, jvtokoia, Whakarnara, Ohangai, Meromere, Fraser Road, and Ararata.

We were informed a few weeks ago that King Alfonso of Spain, on his way to England for his annual visit to that country, stayed a ?ow days at Pans, where* he had a conversation with Senor Alba, former Spanish Minister for Foreign Affairs, and now an exile from his own country. A summary of the conversation which took place between the King and the ex-minister was published by the latter, presumably with the sanction of Alfonso. Though we have been unable to find anywhere a published report of the conversation, it is apparent, from the files of English and American papers to hand, that the meeting between the monarch of troubled Spaiu and his exminister is regarded everywhere as an omen of thing sto follow. In this document a complete overturning o the traditional throne of Spam is adumbrated. Possibly an attempt will be made, if Senor Alba’s suggestions are accepted, to offer appearances rather than reality and to preserve many royal prerogatives. But it is already much that the possibility and even the implied promise of radical reforms should be presented in a responsible report of a conversation between the King and the exile. A leading American organ of opinion, in its comments on the new possibilities which have been foreshadowed, says: “Al“fonso is certainly astute in see.ming <‘ to take the leadership in an attack “on the Spanish monarchy, and if he 1 ‘ is really wise, he will proceed to strip “himself of his powers, which, whether ‘ < exercised directly or through a mock < < dictator, arc anachronous in the pre- < i sent age. 7 7 It seems queer to English minds to find that Alfonso, despite the political troubles which have shaken his country, is still personally populai. The people have no quarrel with him as a King, for, within the sphere of activities allowed him by the Constitution. he apparently pleases them, but there does exist serious disaffection in regard to the administration of the country. The personal popularity of Alfonso is as nothing against, the intellectual condemnation of the present, regime. All that Spain counts of enlightenment in its universities, its newspaper offices, its literary world, its political circles, is implacably opposed to the continuance of a system of antiquated absolutism. That Alfonso should himself be opposed to it also, and should be preparing the way for a I drastic revision of his own functions, I will, if confirmed by subsequent, action, |be a bold, dramatic and meritorious course. if the King is willing to become a sort of hereditary president, the world will applaud. When a reigning monarch consults a political exile, it may properly be supposed that he is conscious of the urgent need for fundamental changes. Despite the recent, assurances of the popularity of King Alfonso, it is apparent, to all observers that the Spanish monarchy, as it has been hitherto understood, is doomed. If it survives, it will be because it, has transformed itself in time into a truly democratic and parliamentary monarchy as exists in Great Britain or. Belgium. Absolute monarchy seems to have lost its hold on the modern world. It must apparently undergo metamorphosis or disappear. General Berengucr, who succeeded the Dictator, General de Rivera, has set up a provisional administration under which power is wielded, nominally at any rate, by a Cabinet at the head of a party, instead of by a dictator and his nominees, backed by the army, but the present government is only a stop-gap. It will need someone with a clear programme to form a stable government. Senor Alba claims to have this programme, which is said to include the revision of the voting system, free elections and peaceful but wholesale constitutional changes which will give increased ipower to the national legislature and less power to the King or the nominee of the King. Some observers see a new era dawning for Spain based on an understanding between the Crown and unity between the political parties, but even with the gesture made by Alfonso to assist in the making of such, ari agreement, the time of fruition of the plan to make Spain a. real democracy 'may be long delayed by the apathy of ! the mass of the people, who are not represented in the political fireworks I occasionally let off in student, army, and political circles.