Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-06-26
W|DESPREADPL0T
CRUSHED IN SPAIN
100 Conspirators, Including
18 Generals. Thrown Into
Madrid Prisons.
By the Associated Press

By the Associated Press
BUENOS AIRES. June 26.--t'ltra
conservative generals, some Of them
of the nobility. Joined with Repu-
leans In a vast conspiracy against
the Spanish government because Of
economic distress. which was espe-
cially felt in Madrid. says dispatch
to La Nacion from Hendaye, France.
More than 100 persons, including
80 military officers, were arrested In
Madrid alone Thursday, the dispa tch
says. Some of those arrested are
believed to be free of blame. and
their only connection was friendship
for the plotters.
The consensus in Madrid. il is de-
clared, is that the conspiracy was in
spired by patriotic motives. par
ticularly because Of dissatisfa CT ion
in Madrid. caused by the new tax
laws and in the army because of the
substitution of the merit system in
place of seniority promotion.
Eighteen Generals COnspire.
Gen. Weyler. known I'm Cuba for
his harshness as administrator there
before the Spanish American War
was moved To join the conspiracy
because of his anger at being ousted
as chief OF the general staff. He was
able to muster much OF his great
following in opposition to the die
tatorship OF Gen. Primo de Rivera
Eighteen generals I'm all were named
as conspirators. Several regiments
in Madrid. Barcelona and Valencia
were counted upon to join the plot.
The Republicans. Marcelino Domigo
and Deputy Barcibro: the Communist
leader. Juan Andrade: the Syndicalist
leader. Salvador Quemades and DR.
Maranon, famous physician and vice
president of the Ateneo. the foremost
cultural and literary society Of Spain
are among those named as leaders of
the plot.
La Nacio SAYS that an agent pro.
vocature gained the confidence of the
plotters. Thursday night police and
detectives swept down on them.
All Held IncOnmuhicado.
One officer drew his revolver, but
it was wrestec from him before he
could fire It. Civilians were taken to
the Madsia RvtSgte nd the military
were held fncornmunicado.
DIR. Maranon's wife even was re-
fused permission to see him
Madrid was in great excitement. for
news of the frustrated plot swept
with the speed Of lightning and wa
discussed In cafes and bars all night
Next morning friday friends Of
the prisoners assembled before the
prisons in the hope of seeing them.
Gen. Weyler was detailed at Palma
on the Island of Majorca. and Gen
Aguilera. former minister of war. in
Ciuda dreal
The cabinet was reported in con-
tinous session since Wednesday after
noon. Censorship of news has been
strict
200 Arrests In Madrid.
Nearly 200 prominent persons were
arrested in Madrid in connection with
the frustrated plot. 1t was said by
Spaniards who arrived at Biarritz yes
terday.
The Spanish government announced
in Madrid last night that the plot had
been utterly crushed
The government described the plot
tiers as group that could not he more
mixed or ridiculous.
Political Leaders Held.
PARIS, June IS (E).-A Havas dis
patch from Lisbon says the police of
the Portuguese capital have arrested
several political personages, including
Col. Helder Ribiero and Pestana
Junior who were. respectively, minis
tiers OF war and finance in the Santos
cabinet, which resigned in February,
1925.
Manifestos were seized, protesting
against the present political situation
in Portugal.