New-York tribune., 1918-01-06
Revolutionary Movement
Causes Dissolving of
Parliament
Situation in Hand,
Declares the Premier
subalterns Follow Lead of
Officers in Forming de
fence Juntas"
fsy Tbs Associated Trcss]


rovement has been unearthed by the
.overnment. Telephone and telegraph
communications have been suspended
md other precautions taken.
p-emier Alhucemas announced to-
,.v that the government was master
sf the situation.
Il Is officially announced that Spain
l. tranquil everywhere. The number
n non-commssioned officers removed
tror the army because of their activi-
,;ss in forming "juntas" of defence"
HAS reached 1900.
The judicial authorities are investi-
c.,;ne the plot, many details of which
are already known.
Later it was announced that tele-
,,,nhic communication had been re-
Established. Premier Alhucemas said
the government will not for moment
ao.,are state of siege after assur-
o,,es are received that the situation
!. normal at the military centres and
in the provinces.
Press Greatly Disturbed
Friday mornings newspapers ap-
ncared with editorials expressing great
perturbation because of the Council
~ Ministers which was held unex-
nectedly Thursday evening. The news
uauers asserted that the council
was made necessary by the military
rsunionis of q revolutionary character
that have been held recently by cor
uorals, brigade sergeants and non
commissioned officers OF the different
branches of the army.
The press asserted that these minor
officers are attempting TO establish
"iuntas of defence" similar to those
formed by the chiefs and high officers
cf the army.
The government issued an order that
all branches of the army remain in
barracks and also discontinued tele-
rraphjc and telephone communication
and has taken other important precau-
tionary measures, such as dissolving
the Parliament.
The news Of the revolutionary move
ment caused great sensation, and pub
tic opinion appears to be with the
King and the government. Several
popular manifestations of loyalty have
been made within the last few days
and the chief of the Conservatives has
visited the president of the council to
offer his support
Minister of War Cieva issued an
official explanation of the movement, in
which he said that the army classes
composed of non-commissioned officers
corporals and sergeants proposed tc
unite in junta against the desires
Of their chiefs and that of the Minis
ter Of War.
Followed Army Leaders
In forming associations Of defence
the newspapers point out, the subor
dnate officers merely are following th
precedent established by their chic
officers, who have held secret meeting
and exchanged cipher messages.
Thursday the government discovere'
the plot and Friday the principals in
volved in the movement were force'
to resign and were discharged from
the army. Several other non-commis
stoned officers, corporals and ser
geants have taken an oath of loyalt.
and fidelity to the monarchy AM
agreed TO cease agltatlOn IOr the 1OTul
ing of defence associations.
The unrest in the army is only on
Of the formidable threats to the tran
quillity of Spain which have develope
in the course Of the war. The labor
ing classes are in ferment on accoun
Of the high cost of living and the pov
erty of a portion of the population
while few have grown suddenly ric
on war orders. The people OF Cata
lonia, speaking q language more lik
French than Castilian and sympathiz
ing more with Paris than Madrid, hav
also caused trouble. The railwa
unions have struck, and there hav
been clashes between pro-Ally and pro
German demonstrators.
The grievances Of the higher arm
officers were, first, their small pay, ant
second, a general belief that the bes
positions went by favoritism and wer
limited to certain families in the mon
srchy. The officers organized secre
societies or juntas and enforce
changes. Now the tower officers ar
following this example.
The commissioned personnel Of tn
army is generally pro- German, as
the aristocracy and the hierarchy c
spain. The lower classes. most of tn
lntellectuals and certain province!
especially Catalonia, sympathize wit
the Entente