PRIMO DE RIVERA DEAD.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18520, 18 March 1930, Page 9

PRIMO DE RIVERA DEAD.

Former Spanish Dictator. END OF ACTIVE LIFE. (United Press Association—By Electrio Tel eg raph—Cop y rlgh t.) PARIS, March 16. The death is announced of General Primo de Rivera, the Marquis de Estella. who until recently was the Dictator of Spain.

END CAME SUDDENLY. STRAIN OF DICTATORSHIP. (United Press Association—By Electrio Tele—ri—l*—caeirlcht.) PARIS, March 16. Though General Primo de Rivera suffered from diabetes, he was in his usual health, apart from weakness following influenza. He breakfasted abed and told his daughters he had had an excellent night and never felt better. However, he soon experienced difficulty in breathing, and died from heart failure before the of a doctor.

The immediate end was due to embolism.

His son declared that Spain killed General Primo de Rivera, meaning that the severe continuous strain ot the dictatorship shortened his life. REASON FOR PARIS VISIT. NOT TO FIGHT A DUEL. (United Press Association—By Electrl# Telegraph—Copyright.) (Received March 17, 7.45 p.m.) LONDON, March 17.

“The Daily News” prints a letter just received from the late Primo de Rivera denying a report that he went to Paris in order to fight a duel. He adds: “I come to Paris to think out calmly, quietly and restfully the best way in which I can serve my country.” According to the Spanish custom, the late General’s body will be clothed in a white woollen robe, which is worn in Spain by members of the Carmelites. The feet will be enclosed in sandals, and the hands will clasp a Rosary of black beads.

FUNERAL OF LATE GENERAL. TO TAKE PLACE IN SPAIN.

(United Press Association—By Electrio Telegraph—Copyright.) (Received March 17, 5.5 p.m.) PARIS, March 16. General Primo de Rivera will be buried in Spain.

Death has followed close upon the termination of de Rivera’s public career as Dictator of Spain. His resignation was handed to King Alfonso on January 29. when a political crisis occurred in Spain. Primo de Rivera was born in 1871. His father was the marshal of the same name who by the capture of Estella, put an end to the second Carlist rising, for which he received the title of Marquis de Estella, In his old age he was War Minister in the Maura Cabinet, which so ruthlessly suppressed the disturbances in Barcelona in 1908. The son rapidly made a name for himself as a commander, chiefly in the years of the struggle with the Riffs in Morocco. From 1917 to 1920 he was a Senator, and at that time he was in favour of giving up Morocco. He was also one of the leaders of a junta of officers who since 1917 have exercised an ever-increasing influence over Spanish policy as the power behind the throne. When he came into power, he promulgated many laws of a Fascist type and summarily dismissed the aged Captain-General Weyler when the latter criticised him, although King Alfonso pleaded for him. Weyler had been made chief of the general staff, which was practically independent of the War Office and did not hesitate to defy the War Minister. It had tended to become a centre of opposition to the Dictator;/, with the result that after Weyler’s dismissal the entire staff was suppressed and the army controlled from the War Office. Some of the Dictator’s colleagues, including the vice-president of the Dictatory, Admiral Magaz, with whom his relations had become strained, felt that the Dicatorv had had its day. The general feared that the admiral had urged on the King a change ol‘ regime ana learnt that Magaz was likely to be asked by Alfonzo to form a Government. The Dictator lost no time, and by his prompt action at the beginning of December 1925, averted probably by a few hours his supersession by a Mazara Government.

After three years in power he had failed to carry out his policy, as he could not rely on able helpers or secure the co-operation of the people, but he had stopped the syndicalist outrages m Barcelona and improved the Moroccan situation. The Budget, however, was further from balancing than ever, and the taxes were in arrears, while the Government departments were still squandering money and political corruption was rife. Repeated internal disorders during the past two years have demonstrated de Rivera’s unpopularity and his resignation following an adverse plebiscite, was hailed with relief. Affairs in Spain, however, have shown no great improvement since his departure from the scene.