SINGING CROWDS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22352, 25 February 1936, Page 9

SINGING CROWDS

REJOICING IN SPAIN LEFT PARTIES' VICTORY NEW GOVERNMENT'S PLANS NO CAUSE FOR ALARM By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received February 24, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON. Feb. 23 A message from Madrid 'says that until next Sunday, when the victory of the Left parties under the leadership of Dr. Manuel Azana will be officially celebrated, political demonstrations have been overshadowed by the observance of carnival throughout Spain. Singing crowds in fancy dress are thronging the streets. Thirty thousand former political prisoners, mostly from the province of Asturias, were earlier feted as martyrs and paladins, posing surrounded by cinema tripods and under a halo of photographers' flashlights. The Daily Herald's Madrid correspondent says the Government is reinstating 7000 transport workers who were dismissed for striking in 1934, and is making up their pay for the period of their dismissal. The correspondent of the Times points out that this means the expulsion of men who at great risk helped the constitutional authorities to break the revolutionary strike. Already 1000 municipal employees have been summarily dismissed. Triumphant Return This pales beside the situation in Asturias, to which region the majority of the 30,000 liberated prisoners belong. Many of these had vowed the extermination of the Civil Guard, of whom they killed 100. They now return triumphant to the scene of their exploits. They include 40 miners condemned for shooting without trial, and in cold blood, a mining engineer, eight Christian Brothers and two excise officers. When they were liberated they marched to a cemetery and placed wreaths on the tombs of two of their comrades who had died in captivity, and then departed, fists raised, singing the "Internationale." Senor Luis Companys, the former President of the independent State of Catalonia, which lasted for 24 hours, drove in Madrid accompanied by a fleet of cars filled with admirers, in order to confer with Dr. Azana regarding reconstruction plans. Dr. Azana, interviewed by the Daily Telegraph, prophesied a great cultural, economic, spiritual and material advance. He declared that law and order now reigned throughout the country. Government's Intentions Though naturally the Republican and Socialist workers had jubilantly celebrated their victory, the state of alarm would shortly be withdrawn. The Government would apply the constitution and carry out as early as possible and in a spirit of liberality and liberty of conscience tho Republican policy, which was the basis of the Popular Front's election programme. The Government would be formed only of Republican elements, but the Socialists and extremists would support it. Senor G on/.ales Pena, who was condemned to death in connection with the Asturian revolt, but was reprieved and imprisoned, has been elected deputy for Asturias, and will be triumphantly received on Monday. The Daily Telegraph, in a leading article, declares that Spain is not threatened with violent revolution or Bolshevism, because Dr. Azana has formed a predominantly Left and Centre Cabinet. There is no visible justification for the flight of panic-stricken refugees belonging to the parties of the Right. Nevertheless, Dr. Azana's plans, foreshadow a strongly Radical programme, which will strike hard at vested interests and parties supporting the recent Right Government.