Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-01-31
SPAIN FORMALLY
OPENS new REGIME
King Alfonso and Duke of
Alba Outstanding Figures
in Government.

BY the Associated Press.
MADRID, January 3l.-Two figures
stood foremost in Spain today as the
country formally entered upon the re-
gime of the new premier, Gen. Damaso
Berenguer, replacing the six-year die
tatorship of Gen. Primo De Rivera.
The first of these figures was the
country's monarch, King Alfonso XIII,
who, as at no time since the beginning
or his reign in 1886, seemed to be in
almost complete charge Of national af-
fairs, guiding hand for general policy
If not the actual executor of the mass
of governmental detail.
The second figure was the Duke Of
Alba. Spanish intellectual, humanlst
and social reformer, who was sworn In
last night as minister of public edu-
cation in the new cabinet. 1t appeared
the apparently insignificant portfolio
was given him to afford an opportunity
of making peace with the striking uni
versity students of Madrid and other.
cities; that task completed, he prob
ably will be elevated to the ministry
Of state, which will replace the old
ministry Of foreign affairs.
Decide King Shall Preside.
! The new cabinet, meeting for the
| first time last night, shortly after 1t
had been sworn in and it's members
presented to the Spanish royal family,
decided that King Alfonso should pre-
side at each Thursday session as he
did before the dictatorship was estab-
lished. The initial cabinet council it
self met under the Craftsmanship Of
the sovereign.
Premier Gen. Berenguer, making his
f1rst address as head OF the govern
nent, declared the program of the
new regime was defined clearly and
that the mission Of the dictatorship
during the past six years was termi-
mated. He said 1t was the duty Of the
| government to press as rapidly as pos
sible the judicial and constitutional
restoration which was set aside when
Gen. Primo De Rivera seized power.
The council decided to set aside Gen.
Primo De Rivera's DEGREES and die
tatorial dispositions, and to suppress
Immediately the National Assembly,
which Primo set up with advisory
! powers only to replace the old parlia-
mentary cortes.
To Revive Constitution Of 1876.
Persons close to the new regime said
that the government Immediately would
| take the steps necessary to re-establish
the constitution Of 1876, hold elections
| for deputies and senators so as to re-
establish Parliament and to provide
new municipal and provincial elections.
Among other reforms believed contem-
plated are pardoning of artillerymen
and other men, principally generals,
who were separated from the army by
orders OF Gen. Primo De Rivera It
was expected appointments to many
high ofiices would be made at the Sat-
urday session Of the cabinet.
Meanwhile the first impression that
the general public was inclined favor
ably toward the new government grew.
The ministry was considered generally
| to have been wisely selected because of
conservativeness and familiarity with
| tasks --st-. --
| Madrid experienced the most TRANQUIL
day since the students strike began
| during the last week of Gen. Primo
De Rivera'S dictatorship. Police guards
were cut greatly, both in the capital
and in nearby cities There were no
reports from any quarter Of any de-
velopment whatever Of alarming char.
acter. The government denied that
foreign press dispatches were censored.
The ministers, with the exception of
Pedro Sanoro y Dos De Orloano, new
minister Of labor, who Is hurrying here
from Geneva, were sworn In before
King Alfonso.