Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-02-03
Dictdtorial Regime Must
Be Temporary Only
Says Berengner.
BY DAMASO BERENGUER,
New Premier of Spain.

&SADR1D, February (N.A.N.A.l "A
dictatorial regime, however mildly !!
may be exercised however benehclal II
may be to a country from material
point of view, cannot, must not, be otheT
than circumstantial regime Il. e., OF
temporary character).
This is how Gen. Primo de Rivera him.
self understood it during the last several
months and thanks to his keen under
standing-to which it is also just 10
add the great political talent OF our
august Sovereign-the dictatorial regime
has come to an end without the slight
est complication.
What in many other countries would
have provoked great crises and even
sanguinary civil strife has been done IN
Spain in the most peaceful manner-aS
| II 1t had been a matter of one simple
parliamentary government being re-
placed by another.
De Rivera's Service Is Recognized.
No one will deny the good intentions,
i the talents and the patriotism of the
Marquis de Estella primo de Rivera
! and I am convinced all will recognize
the great services he has rendered the
| country.
However, as all humanity is imperfect,
| the Marquis de EStella himself will now
understand that dictatorship indef1-
nitely prolonged does not lead anywhere.
Although strong, stable governments
| are indispensable for the tranquility
and welfare of countries, it is impossible
to return to autocracy, thus leaving out
| the will of the public A parliament,
elected under one system or another
cannot be eliminated from our national
life, and therefore the fundamental
j point OF my program consists in re-
establishing liberty, so as to obtain much
desired juridical, constitutional and
normal conditions, and to hold legisla-
tive elections by which the Spanish
nation viii be able freely to manifest
its will.
Circumstances TO Decide.
L cannot indicate the date at this
moment. Everything depends upon cir.
cumstances and the method which will
be adopted. It depends also upon the
conditions In which the country is
situated.
What can say unhesitatingly, is
that am a constitutional man and
that, within the shortest possible time
allowed by the material and moral con-
ditionS of the country, Spain will return
absolutely to the constitution of 1875,
which ruled for about half century
until the advent of the Dictatorship
If no unforeseen obstacles arise, and
executing this program, there certainly
VIII be no disagreement between us and
those who have constitutional aspira-
tionS-that is, nearly the whole country
except in regard to the date of the
elections.
can declare now that all the facil-
tiles which the government meets with
in its administration will be taken
advantage of to accelerate the realiza-
Of al
Foreign Minister to Be Restored.
One point of our program which may
particularly interest foreign countries
is the re-establishment of the ministry
Of foreign affairs, which was suppressed
by Gen. Primo de Rivera and trans
formed into a general secretaryship to
the president of the council.
We consider that such a ministry has
such delicate mission to fulfill that,
far from reducing its Importance, its
Importance should be increased.
Furthermore, this department is the
oldest in Spain and has the longest
tradition.
Thanks to the spirit of sacrifice dis
played by a majority of the men have
called to me, have succeeded in FORM
ing government in less than two days
"a government which can inspire full
confidence in Spain and abroad.
The country will regain its constitu-
tional life in its entirety in due time
and without perilous haste, but at the
same time without unnecessary delay.
Abroad we shall scrupulously respect
all international agreements.
The new ministry of finance is fac
ing an important problem in the ques-
ton of the rate of exchange. I hope
financial markets abroad will soon un-
derstand that the present quotations
of Spanish currency are unjustly low.
Position Now Has Changed.
If during the last few weeks, owing
to the uncertain political situation,
the reserved attitude of the public in
regard to the peseta is understand
able up to a certain point, with the ar
rival of a constitutional government,
the position now has entirely changed.
AS relationships do not usually end
peacefully, it might have been feared
some trouble might occur, but events
during the last few days have proved
that this fear had no foundation.
The future presents itself with abb
solute clarity and Spain Is about to
return to the constitution of 1876,
which will give satisfaction to an inn
mense majority of the country. hold
the deepest conviction that the transi-
ton will take place without the slight
est difficulty.
The Gays Of uncertainty have gone
and the former fears no longer exist.
Faces Delicate Task.
As the fall of the peseta really had
no other reason than political one
inasmuch as our finances are sound
and the budget was balanced without
de1cit-the rate OF exchange must nat
urally improve.
At the end of years, 4 months and
IS days of the dictatorship, the gov
eminent which has taken its place is
facing great and delicate task. We shall
have to revise the work of the die
tatorship-that is to say, consolidate
some cases and adapt and rectify
others.
And now, with the help Of God, we
are looking forward to a prosperous,
free and happy Spain.
CCopyriEht, 1880, by North American News
paper Aliiance,)
Poincare Returns Home Well.