New Britain herald., 1930-01-09
BN JOHN DE GA\DT

united Press staff Correspondent
 Madrid Jan. s (UP)-Pcssimism born of sense of tho impcnding decline of his regime, as indicated during the tragic events of 1929, marked Premier Primo De Rivera s attitude at the close of the year just passed and influenced his program for the year hc now faces.
 Lack of support on many sides was dcplorcd by the dictator in his pub Hc announcements He even admit ted that the year 1929 almost ended tra2ically for the regime he founded moro than . half dozen years ago. In a signed article on December 31 in his official organ La Nacion, De Rivera wrote:
 Both sides Obiccting
 "PolitiCs is ever paradoxical. The aristocrats are objccting because in the projected single chamber system they would lose some seats The conservatives arc opposed because they want the constitution of 1876 maintained. Those closest to the church refrain from applaudnG the dictatorship. Bankers and indiStrial- ists because they arc forced 10 pay their taxes intcgralIy; employers, be- cause the dictatorship is protecting the workers; state employees. because they must work punCtually: the press for reasons everyone knows all join the others who are against the dictatorship and say it has lasted too long.
 This would be all right if brought to q solution instead of returning to the point from which we started. Seven years are not sufficient to make the marshes sanitary. l hope God will prevent q great mistake"
 In a New Years statement, De Rivera dramatically Wcat even fur ther.
 Hopes fG30 to Be Easier
 "Thc year 1929 sWaS q disastrous onc,' he said. "J.ot it go to the devil, l hope 1880 will be easier and per init me to retire and rest peaceful ly.
 It would bc difficult to be moro pcssmistic. The truth is that soma- thing was happening behind the cur tain which justified the premier'% dcjection.
 In December the cabinet met un- dor De Eiyera's presidency and d. cjded that at a meeting 10 be he'd the next day presided oyer by King Alfonso, the premier would submit q plan he had prepared flor transi- tion toward constitutional normal ity."
 The memorandum confirmed that the prcmier's project for a new con- S,ilution had been cancelled apl suggested a reform of the COnsut'i- ton of 1876. The first step propoa- cd was the elections to a single chambcred parliament. Under the reform the king would sign a decree altering the constitution of 1876 to substitute the single chamber form of government for the two chamber form which existed until De Rivera began his regime in 1923.
 Reads Plan to King
 A historical meeting presided over by the king was held New Years Eve. The premier read his plan. The king remained seated and asked the ministers what they thought of the idea They could do nothing but nod approval. The king thoreupon arose and in a cold tone said he would take time to think the matter over.
 He ultimately approved the De Rivera plan except the main feature reform of the constitution by lo- cree-action in which was postponed Indefinitely. The compromise en- abled the premier to announce tn dictatorship would continue for au- other half year.
 Had King Alfonso procipitatcd cabinet crisis New Years Eve. he would have faced that most difficult Of questions: who would rule after the dictatorship. Is not that the reason for tho kind of suspended sentence granted Primo Dc Rivera last Thursday?
 Due to the uncertainty of the sit uation, the United Press gathered OplnlOnS or several prominent men. Count Romanoncs, former liberal premier, stressed the kings refusal to accept De Rivcra's full plan. AL fonsos refusal was the biggest blow yet suffered by the dictatorship, the count said.
 NillanueNa Speaks Miguel Nillanueva, former prcsi- | dent of the chamber of deputies. | said: Slaves do not discuss things with their masters. They wait the hour of freedom Others saw no change except ny l violence, some favored a constituent | assembly. Niceto Alcala Zamora. | liberal leader, qualified his partial i appreciation of De Rivera's plan. Alejandro LerrouX, leader of the | republican radical party and head of l the republican alliance, foresaw either voluntary abdcation of King | Alfonso or a movement triumphing l in the streets.
 Julian Bestero. socialist leader | said the dictatorship was established 1 because the monarchy had failed.
 The dictatorship came to save the king from being judged by par 1iament,' he declared. "The present ! situation is extremely Scrious for 1ha |