THE LEFT WING

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22809, 19 February 1936, Page 7

THE LEFT WING

SUCCESS IN SPANISH FLECTION STATE OF "ALARM" DECLARED (United Press Association), (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) MADRID, February 17. Both sides claim a victory in thj Spanish elections. The most probable result appears to be a stalemate, with the recently-formed Centre Party holdinc the balance of power. The latest figures indicate: Right. 240 seats; Left, 200; with 50 undecided. Senor Walladares, leader of the Centre, is thus likely to be the dominating figure in the new Parliament. No doubt the Left attained a . handsome victory in Madrid and was also overwhelmingly ahead in Catalonia.

The Government is taking stringent precautions to withhold the sensational news, for fear of disturbances, especially in view of the rumour that the Left parties intend a revolution if defeated.

The Left majority in Catalonia and the election of the ardent Separationist, Senor Companys, who is at present imprisoned, led to the resignation of the Governor, who considers the vote a demonstration that Catalonia insists on full autonomy.

The Government declared a state of " alarm " throughout Spain as a prelude to martial law, which the Prime Minister is empowered to declare whenever necessary. The crowds which demonstrated in favour of the release of the thousands imprisoned after the abortive revolt in 1934 clashed with the police. One person was killed and four were injured. Amazing scenes were witnessed at Puerta-del-sol, where vast ..numbers of Communists assembled, singing the "Internationale." A squadron of mounted police refused to obey the order to charge the crowd which pulled them off their horses and carried them shoulder high. Nine hundred inmates of the prison at Cartagena mutinied, killed a warder, and set fire to the buildings. Two men who were former members of the Government, vainly endeavoured to persuade then fellow-prisoners not to attempt to escape. The Cabinet met at noon and announced that the Left parties had obtained a majority at the election. THE LEFT WING LEADER • MADRID, February 17. It is believed that 250 deputies of the Left Wing have elected Senor Por* tales leader. This indicates the formation of a Left Wing Cabinet on February 21. Four thousand extremists were prepared to march towards the prison in order to liberate political prisoners, but the police successfully intervened, the demonstration resulting in one dead and 14 wounded. , Seven hundred and fifty convicts at the San Miguel de Los Reyes Prison at Valencia mutinied, set fire to the gaol, seized the armoury, and captured the warders. There were several wounded on both sides. Martial law has been proclaimed at SaragossS, where a general strike is feared. ' TROOPS FIRE ON PRISONERS j MADRID, February 17. (Received Feb. 18,. at 5.5 p.m.) Tramcars and taxi cabs have been withdrawn from the streets of Saragossa and shops closed in readiness for a strike which is expected to begin on February 18. The gaol mutinies at Saragossa arid Cartagena have been suppressed, the mutineers becoming more amenable when they learned of the Left Wing successes, but an outbreak in Valencia 'gaol attained serious dimensions, troops haying to fire, injuring seven prisoners who, armed with rifles looted from the armoury, returned the fire of artillery men who rushed towards the prison in motor vans. The prisoners also took pot shots at a fireman who was attempting to extinguish a fire. Martial law has been proclaimed throughout the entire province of Alicante. Madrid was the scene of boisterous demonstrations in the evening, the populace parading the streets with fists clenched in the Communist salute. The Red Flag was hoisted at the Trade Union headquarters, everyone displaying Marxist favours. Senor Azana, leader of the Popular Front, expresses. delight at the triumph at the polls and adds: "My enemies have nothing to fear. There will be no violence. I shall produce a Ministry a few hours after being requested to form it.. Our acquisition to power will be rapid."