CRISIS IN SPAIN

Otago Witness, Issue 3782, 7 September 1926, Page 31

CRISIS IN SPAIN

KING’S STAND AGAINST DICTATOR,

LONDON, September 2. The Daily News publishes a message from Spain by an indirect route.

It says: “There is no open disorder but the internal situation is very difficult and everybody is expectant. The crux of the situation is the stand of King Alfonso, who is regarded as the man oi the hour, against General de Rivera on behalf of the disgruntled army officers who accuse General de Rivera of treasonable disloyalty because he proposed army reforms as a challenge to the King’s demand for personal control of the army regulations and discipline. “Partial military law exists. All the Government buildings are guarded. There have been many .arrests in the streets, including army officers. “Barcelona is seething with excitement and the Catalonians are awaiting the first signs of revolt for the purpose of starting their own insurrection.” A SIGNIFICANT APPOINTMENT. LONDON, September 2. The appointment of General Berenguer as head of King Alfonso’s military household is regarded as remarkable in view of his imprisonment in a fortnees in 1924 for attending a banquet at which speeches were made attacking General de Rivera’s dictatorship. DICTATOR’S POSITION UNSTABLE. LONDON, September 2. The most reliable information from Spain shows that General de Rivera’s position is unstable and is largely dependent on the successful issue of the Tangier question. He claims that his opposition is not directed against King Alfonso.