ROYAL PREROGATIVE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIV, 20 February 1931, Page 5

ROYAL PREROGATIVE

FLAT REFUSAL TO RELINQUISH (Received 20th February. 8.35 a.m.) LONDON, 19th February. The “Daily Telegraph’s” Madrid correspondent transmits an interesting story of how a plot to involve King Alfonso in renunciation of the Royal Prerogative broke down. It is known that Sanchez Guerra took to the Palace a document for Royal signature committing liis Majesty to immediate political inactivity and impotence. It is also known he had in his pocket for the King a list of nominees for the Cabinet. It is known, further, that Guerra came from the Palace saving he never produced the list to the King owing to its inherent unsuitability. Everybody is asking why Guerra changed his mind in regard to presenting the list. The answer generally accepted is that King Alfonso flatly refused to relinquish his prerogative, and Guerra foreseeing this would involve conflict between the Crown and the country if stressed by him, came from the Palace with the list still in his pocket, confessing his own failure at the psychological moment to produce it. The situation is not dissimilar to that in Bernard Shaw’s play. “Applecart,” in which King Magnus upsets the Ministry’s “applecart” by agreeing to abdicate. but announcing his intention to become a Parliamentary candidate for the Royal Borough of Windsor. The Ministry foreseeing King Magnus would be elected and form his own party, preferred him to stay on the Throne.