STILL GRAVE

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LII, Issue 17133, 8 September 1926, Page 7

STILL GRAVE

POSITION IN SPAIN DE RIVERA MAY RESIGN DISPUTE WITH ALFONSO 'Elec. Tel. Copyriaht United Press Assn. (Australian and N.Z. ('able Association.,' LONDON. Sept. 7. Contrary to official news, despatches from the Franco-Spanish frontier last night reported that the situation in Spain is still grave.

The Daily Express, in a lengthy account of the crisis, says: '"De Rivera has told King Alfonso it. is essential that the corps of artillery officers should be. dissolved and the leaders arrested, unless there was to be anarchy throughout the army, King Alfonso refused, whereupon De .Rivera, threatening to resign, produced a series of reports from the political police showing that the extreme parties, Hie Republicans, the Anarchists, the Communists, end (he Catalan separatists were fully prepared for immediate action. He declared that whether bis policy was right or wrong, the fall of tlie Directorate would place, not only publie security, but the Throne itself, in danger.

King Alfonso reluctantly signed the demos for marital law and dissolution of the corps, but refused absolutely to arrest seven highly-placed leaders. The King's action took the oppositionists by surprise. They were relying upon the known differences between King Alfonso and, the Dictator, hence the revolutionary plans miscarried. A general rising in Barcelona was averted by midnight arrests. Important developments are expeHed following to-day's Council meeting.