Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-01-29
De RIVERA RESIGNS;
ENEMY TAKES POST.
Police Battle Students, Who
Celebrate Fall of Premier
in Madrid Streets.
By the Associated Press.

SSASbAaIAAAS IhC IeSlBtldL1On OF zen.
Primo de Rivera, for six years premier
and dictator.
Almost 200 were arrested and many
were injured, several seriously. Clashes
occurred in many parts Of the city. One
demonstration near the royal palace was
dispersed when police fired over the
students heads.
Drawn sabers were used to force back
the manifestants in some downtown
streets. There were many fist lights
between the officers and students, who
shouted viva Reyl Muera Primol"-
Long live the KingI Death to Primol"
Police quickly suppressed shouts of
viva republica," or Long live the re-
public"
De Rivera Confers with Enemy.
Meanwhile Gen. Primo de Rivera,
whose resignation was accepted by King
Alfonso effective as of 1915 pm last
night, conferred with his successor
| and perennial enemy-Gen. Damaso
Berenguer, chief OF King Alfonso's Wits
military household and former COM
mander in Morocco.
Gen. de Rivera, bidding farewell to
KING Alfonso and to the country as
head OF the government and explaining
reasons Tor his resignation, issued an
on1cial note, which concluded:
And now to rest little, to recover
my health. Two thousand three hun
dred and twenty-six days have been
MED with inquititude, responsibility and
laoorI But rested, then If God wishes,
diel"
He then expressed the belief It would
pe necessary for the government to
have some form of dictatorship during
the next few years. He pledged his per.
sonal loyalty to King Alfonso and de-
clared ne welcomed the incoming gov
| eminent.
Praises Successor. ~
| OF his successor he said: 1.-THE King
lntrusted formation of the new govern
ment to Gen. Damaso Berenguer. I was
very highly pleased with this designa-
ton, for he Is man Of great serenity
OF Judgment, possessed of much discre-
ton and dearly beloved throughout the
country. There is no better man for
the place"
Gen. Berenguer's statement:
| II shall form q cabinet composed
mostly Of civilians, none Of whom, how
ever, Is as yet selected For minister of
/ finance I shall choose q person with
the qualifications Of prudence and tech
nical knowledge without entangling in
4 terests.
From this moment until my govern
ment may end I swear allegiance to the
constitution Of 1876. There will soon
be reorganization of the political parties,
with legislation providing for general
elections for Senators and Deputies in
accordance with the laws which still
stand for ablishment Of Parlia-
ment."
Duke Accepts Portfolio.
Later the premier designate an
nounced that the Duke of Alba, one Of
the foremost mobiles of Spain, had ac-
cepted the portfolio Of public education.
4 The selection is likely to be popular.
Francisco Cambo, q leading industrial-
iSt, and Juan Ventosa, close associate
Of his, were mentioned as possible selecs
| tons for the finance ministry. i-
1 Streets and cafes were crowded
| throughout the night with people ex-
citedly discussing the situation
1 Madrid newspapers, freed Of censor
ship after more than six years, found
so much to say regarding the cabinet
crisis that their regular editions were
not sufficient. Extra editions at mid
night handled the overflow Of copy.
Clashes Start After Midnight.
The clashes here did not get started
until after midnight AS soon as
demonstrations were Quoted in one sec
ton they began in another, with police
in many cases helpless to combat the
| turbulent mobs Of people.
| The events which led to resignation
OF Gen. De Rivera still we're not clear
| today.
Sunday the dictator, excited by con-
tinued criticism of his regime, told re-
porters he was asking II high army
and navy officers to say If he should
! resign.
He conferred later with King Alfonso
and was understood to have met
criticism, tacit perhaps, from both the
| crown and his colleagues in the cab
met, it being pointed out that he had
in a sense gone over the Kings head.
In Spain as in no other constitutional
monarchy OF Europe is the right OF
the King to name or supersede cabinet
ministers recognized as supreme.
Replies Surprised Him.
Some Of the military figures to whom
! Gen. Primo De Rivera had resorted
| replied that while they wauld always
support any government designated by
the crown they believed 1t inadvisable
1 III b1Aab u ACU. 4SC 3SANCI0 W
continue further.
The replies surprised the premier,
who had counted upon the loyalty Of
the military heads, all Of whom owed
their posts to him.
Gen. Berenguer was high commits
sioner in Morocco in 1921 and 1922, re-
signing in July, 1922. In the following
June the Senate, Of which he was a
! member, voted to impeach him on the
ground that he was responsible for
the Meltlla disaster. He was sentenced
to six months imprisonment. The sem
tence later was committed.
Gen. Berenguer was born In Cuba on
August 4, 1878. He entered the Spanish
Military Academy at the age Of 10 and
left it an officer Of cavalry. He returned
to Cuba in 1898 and served through the
War Of the Rebellion.
After the Spanish American War he
was sent back to Spain, q captain, and
he held that rank until 1909, when he
was promoted to lieutenant colonel. He
served thereafter for time In Morocco
ana In 1912 was promoted to colonel
and then to brigadier general before GO
ing to Morocco as high commissioner
With rise OF Gen. Primo De Rivera
to the dictatorship, enmity of the dc
tator and Gen. Berenguer became pro-
nounced. In view Of this, appointment
by the crown of Gen. BerenQuer as
chief Of the Kings military household
in 1926 excited widespread speculation
as to whether there had not been q
breach between the monarch and the
dictator.
AS signs of disaffection grew from
his iron rule, De Rivera, who inherited
the title Marquis De Estella from his
father, promised eventual retirement to
follow installation Of q new constitu-
ton. This new constitution recently
was completed In draft form, but was
subjected to considerable criticism and
served more to heighten the protest