UNREST IN SPAIN

Waikato Times, Volume 119, Issue 19815, 20 February 1936, Page 7

UNREST IN SPAIN

ARMy COUP FOILED. TWO HIGH OFFICIALS ARRESTED. STRIKE IN SARAGOSSA. United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright. MADRID, Feb. 19. A coup was attempted by the Army to-day, but failed. Two high Army officials were arrested, one of whom was General Goded, Inspector-General of the Spanish military forces. The police have been mobilised. A general strike has not been declared throughout Spain, the Workers’ Association having ordered a continuance of ordinary tasks. Nevertheless, the injunction ha-s not been accepted in Saragossa, where a general strike has been inaugurated. Twenty thousand people confronted the police and demanded the immediate rclea-se of political prisoners. % The increasing hostility of the crowds caused the police to fire. The moo retaliated and in the ensuing street fighting one man was killed and seven others wounded. There were numerous clashes in Saragossa, and martial law, which had been lifted in response to popular clamour, was imposed again. Revolt of Prisoners. The mutineers in the gaol at Valencia capitulated after 15 hours, during which 14 prisoners were wounded. At the Burgos 1000 prisoners revolted. burned bedding, wounded a warder and demanded to be released owing to tiie belief that a general amnesty bad been declared. The governor, on entering the gaol to explain that an amnesty was not 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 the prisoners set fire te the building 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 to persuade the inmates to abandon Hie mutiny. A DICTATORSHIP DEBIRED. PLOT QUICKLY FOILED. GOVERNMENT’S SWIFT ACTION. United Press Assn.—i-Elee. Tel. Copyright. LONDON, Feb. 19. The Madrid correspondent of the News Chronicle says the Army’s intention was to seize power and enforce a military dictatorship before the formation of a Left Government. The plot was foiled by the retiring Government’s swift action. It immediately ordered the arrest of the leaders of the movement. A very strict press censorship is being enforced and the newspapers have been forbidden to refer to the attempted coup. RESIGNATION OF CABINET. DISLOYAL AIR FORCE. CENTRE OF CONSPIRACY. United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright. (Received Feb. 20, 10.10 a.m.) MADRID. Feb. 19. The unsuccessful army plot has not led to disturbances. The chief of police hastily returned from Saragossa, and ordered the mobilisation of the Madrid police. The Socialist and Communist youth have also been mobilised, as the Left Parties are determined that they will not be robbed of their victory at the polls. The centre of the conspiracy is apparently the Air Force, the grealer part of which supported the attempted coup One officer, however, refused, and informed the police. The Premier denies that there was a plot, but it is believed that his denial is merely diplomatic. It is understood that General Franco, who attended the funeral of the late King George, and was recently appointed Commander-in-Chief in Morocco, was the moving force behind the conspiracy. A New Cabinet. The Valladares Cabinet has resigned, despite the wish of the President, Don Zamora, that it should remain in office till the Cortes meets. Senor Valladares considered that the serious position would best be handled by a Left Wing Government, which is inevitable. It is understood that Zamora will ask Senor Azana to form a Ministry.