SPAIN

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIV, 21 February 1931, Page 7

SPAIN

NEW CABINET’S POLICY MUNICIPAL AND GENERAL ELECTIONS UNDER UNIVERSAL SUFFRAGE (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) MADRID, 19th February. . Following a live hours’ sitting Cabinet issued a statement of policy. It will hold the municipal elections at the earliest, and thereafter a General Election, both under universal suffrage, but there will be no toleration of disturlmances.

The new Cortes will partake of the character of a constituent body, and will devote itself to the revision of the Constitution. In the meantime the Government will immediately tackle the monetary problem with a view to stabilisation, secure strict economy in all departments and services, review the dictatorship, and revise decrees under it without a spirit of repression.

CIRCUS JOKE CLOWN SENT TO GAOL Sfis f MADRID, 19th February. As a result of the political crisis disturbing public feeling, a circus joke landed Spain’s most popular clown in gaol. He told his audience the story of a sick man named Little Alfonso, who went to many doctors before finding a prescription that effected a complete cure. The prescription was “Sales de Espane,” which might mean alternatively “Spanish salts” or “you leave Spain.” The audience roared with laughter, hut the jester was arrested and gaoled immediately after the performance.