SPANISH CRISIS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21266, 21 February 1931, Page 13

SPANISH CRISIS.

THE KING’S POSITION. MONARCHY TOTTERING. (United Press Association.) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) LONDON, February 19. The Madrid correspondent of the Daily Telegraph transmits an interesting story of how the plot to involve King Alfonso in renunciation of the Royal prerogative broke down. It is known that Senor Guerra took to the palace a document for Royal signature committing his Majesty to immediate political inactivity and impotence. It is also known that he had in his pocket for the King a list of nominees for the Cabinet. It is known further that Senor Guerra came from the palace saying he never produced the list to the King owing to its inherent' unsuitability. Everybody is asking why Senor Guerra changed his mind in regard to presenting the list. The answer generally accepted is that King Alfonso flatly refused to relinquish the Royal prerogative. Senor Guerra, foreseeing that 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 Mr 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 Wyidsor. The Ministry, foreseeing that King Magnus would be elected, and would form his own party, preferred him to stay on the throne. CIRCUS CLOWN ARRESTED. JOKE ABOUT THE KING. MADRID, February 19. (Received Feb. 20, at 10 p.m.) As a result of the political crisis disturbing public feeling, a circus joke landed Remper, Spain’s most popular clown, : in gaol. He told the audience a 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, but the jester was arrested and lodged in gaol immediately after the performance. THE NEW CABINET. A STATEMENT OF POLICY. MADRID, February 19. (Received Feb. 20, at 11.30 p.m. I Following a sitting for five hours the Cabinet issued a statement of policy. It will hold municipal elections at the earliest possible moment, and thereafter a general election, both under universal suffrage, but there will be no toleration of disturbances. The new Cabinet will partake of the character of a constituent body and devote itself to revision of the Constitution. In the meantime the Government will immediately tackle the monetary problem with a view to stabilisation and securing strict economy in all departments and services.