UNMASKING ALFONSO

New Zealand Times, Volume LII, Issue 12040, 19 January 1925, Page 8

UNMASKING ALFONSO

SPANISH NOVELIST'S TRIAL FRENCH GOVERNMENT FORCED TO TARE ACTION. PROCEEDINGS FORMAL. By Telegraph.—Press Assn. —Copy-fight. Reuter’s Telegram. (Received January 18, 5.6 p.m.) PARIS, January 17. Vincente Blasco Ibanez apparently does not intend to leave Mentone notwithstanding the summons to appear in a French court in connection with the publication of an anti-royaiast pamphlet. i Probably the novelist will he asked to appear in- court in Alpes Maritimes, but there is a growing likelihood that the proceedings will be mere formality since Ibanez counts many friends in all French parties. The. prosecution is instituted only m compliance with the request., of tho Spanish Ambassador' which placed (the Government oh; the horns of a dilemma "from which a magisterial eocamination followed by a dismissal of the case would be the most convenient issue. - In the Chamber of Deputies a Communist, M. Laffont, requested permission to interpellate the Government regarding tho prosecution of Ibanez, but the interpellation was adjourned at the request of M. Harriot, who spoke appreciatively of the. novelist’s services' to France during the war. However, said M. Herriot, the law must be respected regardless of personal friendships. It is learned that Ibanez will submit to an examination' on January 24tU. Consequent on the representations of the Spanish Ministry, proceedings havp been instituted against Vincente Blasco Ibanez, the Spanish author, now resident in France. He will be charged under the French law with an, offence against the Sovereign of a friendly State. Ibanez fiercely attacked 7 tlie King of Spain in a book entitled “Alfonso the Thirteenth Unmasked,” and he has openly claimed that ho is conducting a ■revolution in Spain from France. ■ 1 KING IS STEADFAST WILL DO m@ DULY. Australian and N.Z. .Cable Association(Received January 18, 11.5 p.m.) : ' MADRID, January 17. King Alfonso, speaking at Cordova, said that the campaign against him was of little consequence. He was steadfast in bis resolve to do his duty to the country, and if needful he would willingly die for it. He trusted that the pen which slandered Spain would in future be employed in singing its praises. This reference to Ibanez- was greeted with thunderous applause. \