SPAIN STILL UNSETTLED

Hawera Star, Volume L, 19 December 1930, Page 5

SPAIN STILL UNSETTLED

STRIKE IN PROVINCIAL TOWNS DISLOYALTY AMONG MILITARY TROUBLE MAINLY POLITICAL (United Press Association —By Electric Telegraph Copyright.) LONDON, Dec. 17. The ““Daily Mail's” Madrid 1 correspondent. understands that Portugal has refused to hand over 'Commandant Franco, leader of the revolt in Spain, but. lias promised to keep him; and his companions under surveillance, and expel them to England or Holland. The Madrid correspondent of “The Times,” reviewing the situation, says that obviously the military side of the movement, lacks 1 'conviction. The officers are trustworthy, but the juniors are largely Republican, ‘while the rank and file are divided. The conscripts are as reliable: as are conscripts anywhere, but there is a 1 class of .soldier ■who pay the Government for the. choice as to where they are to be stationed, thus creating a privilege.! and influential yeomanry, interested in politics, Many off these are Republicans'. 'The strike is now in full swing, but as being conducted an! caliaa aaid good humour. Transport workers are not involved, land reservists aa-e staffing the railways. King Alfonso inspected the, Artillery Engineers at a Garabanchel camp and extolled their soldierly discipline. ‘The Bank of .Spain has opened a national subscription for a testimonial for the 'Civic Guard.

The Minister of the Interior, Don Severiano Anido, has admitted that the agitation affects 23 of 50 provinces, while there are general strikes in. the principal towns in ten provinces. These are purely political. A message from Madrid says that absolute tranquillity prevails, and the Palace guard lias been redaaced. A semi-official report states that the declaration of martial law in every largo city has neutralised the effects of the strike outbreaks.

At a Cabinet meeting General Mai'zo stated that reports from the provinces showed that the situation was satisfactory.