END OF CRISIS IN SIGHT

Hawera Star, Volume L, 19 February 1931, Page 5

END OF CRISIS IN SIGHT

NEW CABINET FOR SPAIN REVISED CONSTITUTION LIKELY UNREST IN THE PROVINCES. t'rcoa Ausucialnnj— &y iMiccUic icticgrapH LONDON, Feb. IS. Fortified with supplies or tooct in readiness for a mgntiong sitting at Madrid, the Monarcnist leaders, including General Uerenguer (presiding), the Duke of Maura, Count Romanones, aenors Garcia, Prieto and La (Jierva assembled early laist evening at the

War ministry. Alter a sitting lasting live hours, General Berenguer being unwell Senor. JL>on Julio VVais as senior minister went to the Palace to report, to King Alfonso. Senor Prieto stated all present liad decided to piiace themselves at the disposal of the Jxmg; no Government tas lormed but the. members of the conference offered their services should: His majesty care to accept them. Count Romanones said that not all the members of the conference would be members of the new Cabinet. He could only say that to-morrow there would be a new Government. “We shall call a constituent Assembly and meet again at the War -Ministry to settle matters.” It is thought probable that General I Berenguer will be Prime Minister and it is expected that Count Romanones [ will be a member of the Cabinet. _ It had been, intended to give the Premiership to Senor La Cierva but that plan was abandoned because it was understood the workers would have called a general strike, orders for which, it was believed had already been given. A late message says the revolutionary oommitte has adjourned the strike. It is believed the end of the crisis is in sight. It is stated that ;a list of the new Cabinet is ready for presentation to King Alfonso. Count Romanones told the British United Press special correspondent that it was prao-j ticaldy certain a Cabinet would be sworn in later to-day. It is said the members of the conference decided to call a constituent Assembly to revise the constitution without limiting the powers of King ALfonas stringently as previously proposed. Admiral Azaar will probably be Prime Minister if General Berenguer is unwilling or is not chosen. After visiting King Alfonso yesterday Senor Guerra announced, that he had declined to form a Government and advised the King to summon Senor A'iverez, leader of the Reformists. Senor Guerra’s failure to form a Cabinet created a profound sensation, being interpreted as meaning that the King refused to accept the Constitutionalists’ conditions that he should surrender all initiative in governmental matters and should not interfere in the selection ■of Ministers or issue ordinances pending the decision of the constituent assembly. The newspaper “El Rebate” criticises Senor Guerra’s visit to the gaol in order to secure delinquents’ 00-opera-tion and declares that he should be sent to an asylum. The Republicans’ refusal to join his Cabinet is explained by the statement: “We don’t trust the King.” Professor Gallardo, Bean of the College of Lawyers, similarly declined, saying; “It is time enough to listen to the proposals when the King; abdicates.”

An artillery regiment rose yesterday at Jetafe, near Madrid* states the “Manchester Guardian’s” Bordeaux correspondent. The mutineers placed guns and shells on the road to the capital, the guns 'pointing at the Palace. The revolutionaries, making a common cause with the inhabitants of the 'lower quarters of Madrid, blocked the roads to Jetafe. The authorities are taking drastic precautions and placing cavil guards at strategic points lest the movement spread to other garrisons. Jetafe itself appears calm. Direct confusion reigned from dawn to dusk in Madrid. Rumours were circulated that cavalry and artillery regiments in various towns had declared their willingness to support the King against any enemies he oared to name. Such an announcement elsewhere would be a mere declaration of loyalty, but in Spain it has a decided ■pa i itical significance. It is reported that constitutional guarantees have been suspended throughput Spain. This is tantamount to martial law.

King Alfbuso sprang another surprise by meeting Queen Eina at the station. About 500 people, mostly highly placed, awaited the Queen on the platform. The King’s arrival in morning dress accompanied by his two daughters and his son Prince Jaime, was entirely unexpected and created wild excitement. King Alfonso smiled and waved his silk hat to the crowd. When he saw Queen Eina, who was on the verge of tears, he’ took her in his arms and hugged and kissed her. By strange contrast there was not more than 20 persons in the station courtyard but as the Royal party drove unescorted through the streets to the Palace thousands of people cheered their Majesties, who came out on the balcony and acknowledged the continued applause.