THE LEFT VICTORY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22810, 20 February 1936, Page 9

THE LEFT VICTORY

SPAIN CALM AFTER ELECTIONS SOCIALIST LEADERS’ APPEAL (United Press Association) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) MADRID, February 18. Spain passed a quiet night. It is expected that the Left parties will assume power without serious disturbances. The Left considers it has aK ready a sufficient majority to form a Government without waiting for the auxiliary elections on March 1 in those towns where the winning candidates received less than 40 per cent, of the votes.

The Socialist leaders have appealed to their followers to continue their daily routine without thought of strikes or demonstrations and not to mar the splendid victory. Madrid late to-night presented a gala rather than a riotous appearance, recalling the boisterous good humour with which the advent of the Republic was heralded. Marxists displayed Red favours in the streets, and the cafes were crowded with high-spirited people, who apparently were more resolved to celebrate than disturb law and order. *

As a consequence of the Left victory, several ex-Cabinet members and other prominent reactionaries fled to the country.

The precise distribution of seats is still unknown, but it is believed that the Right victories are considerably smaller than was claimed. Diplomatic quarters believe the new Government should be stable and strong, not extremist.

Senor Gil Robles, leader of the Catholic Party, however, is opposing the resignation of the present Government till Parliament meets. One of the most extraordinary features of yesterday’s disorders was the reported freeing of lepers from the colony at Alicante. It is also reported that this was responsible for the decision to apply martial law. ARMY OFFICIALS ARRESTED MADRID, February 19. (Received Feb. 19, at 9 p.m.) An attempted army coup failed. Two high army officials have been arrested and the police mobilised. Spain is generally quiet owing to the non-declaration of a general strike. The Workers’ Association ordered a continuance of ordinary tasks, nevertheless the injunction was not accepted at Saragossa, where a general strike was inaugurated and 20,000 people confronted the police, demanding immediate release of political prisoners. The crowd’s increasing hostility caused the police to fire and the mob retaliated, resulting in street fighting in which one person was killed and seven wounded. There were numerous other clashes throughout the city. Martial law, which was to have been lifted in response to popular clamour, has been reimposed. The mutineers at Valencia Gaol capitulated after 15 hours, during which time 14 people were wounded. One thousand prisoners at Burgos revolted, burning bedding and wounding a warder. They demanded release owing to the belief" that a general amnesty had been proclaimed. The governor, on entering the gaol to explain that an amnesty had not been announced, was seized as a hostage. Three companies of Storm Guards quelled the riot and released the governor. There was another gaol riot at Gijon, where convicts set fire to the. prison because they were not granted an amnesty. Troops with machine guns surrounded the gaol and turned back a newly-elected woman Communist nicknamed “ Passion Flower ” who desired to enter and persuade the inmates to abandon the mutiny. THE ARMY’S INTENTION LONDON, February 19. (Received Feb. 20, at 0.39 a.m.) The News-Chronicle’s Madrid correspondent says: “The army’s intention was to seize power and enforce a military dictatorship before the formation of a Left Government, but it was foiled by the retiring Government’s swift action in immediately ordering the arrest of the movement’s leaders. The strictest press censorship is being enforced, and the newspapers have been forbidden to refer to the attempted coup.”