Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-09-06
ALFONSO CHECKMATED
BY CHIEF OF CIVIL GUARDS
One Last Move by Monarch to Save
Throne Thwarted by Gen. Sanjurjo.
Bloody Revolt Prevented.

TIME impulsive act OF one man,
prompted by memory OF DEAD
friend, and an hours delay
Il were the two seemingly insig-
nificant factors that cost ex-
King Alfonso of Spain his crown few
months ago. Numerous thrones have
toppled since the World WARM
Greece, Germany Austro Hungary
Turkey. Bulgaria, Russia and far-away
Afghanistan-and although the passing
of the House of Bourbon from SPANS
political picture, sooner or later, was
foregone conclusion. Alfonso has only
himself to blame for the unregal hours
which preceded his ignominious flight
from Madrid to Cartegena in the dead
of night.
To the resentment Of Gen. Sanjurio,
chief of the Civil Guards, special
police organization resembling the State
troopers Of the United States and the
Mounted Police of Canada, can be as
cribed the one direct move in the peril
GUS two days that precipitated the alb
dication of Alfonso. With the ex-Klng,
crafty to the very end, preparing to
place the entire nation under martial
law at 10 o'clock that night, the
doughty Gen. Sanjurjo checkmated
Alfonso for the last time, placed the
Civil Guard under the orders of the
provisional Republican cabinet, which
had been formed at the home Of Senior
Maura after the country had been
without government for 10 hours, and
when Madrid was "in the streets" ready
for mischief. and not only saved the
republic, but prevented the country
from being drenched in blood.
Smile at Alfonsos Boast.
Those who are in a position to know
smile at ex-King Alfonso's boast that
he effaced himself from the picture in
order to spare the country bloody in
ternecine strife. Had he been given
another hour or two of grace, Alfonso
would have promulgated the decree. al
ready prepared and signed, putting
Spain under martial law. Before morn
ing the Socialist and Republican lead
ers, concentrated in the capital. would
have been arrested, many of them per-
hapS summarily executed as were Capt.
Galan and Capt Hernandez. fomentors
Of the ill-starred Jaca military rebellion
and the rest confined to dungeons or
rushed to Fernando Pc or other COL
onies of exile
Gen. Sanjurjo, old and true friend IF
the ex-dictator Gen. Primo Ge Rivera
is commander of the Civil Guard. He
and his colleagues are now ore of the
standbys of the young Republic.
Formed to preserve order and enforce
the laws Of the land the civil guard Is,
to large extent, outside of politics. 1t
has no connection with the army.
The chronological order of events
scarcely known except to those on the
inside during the three fateful days
when Spain wavered between disorder
and an iron glove-was as follows
The Sunday elections, conducted by
the AZnar cabinet with a feeling that an
immense majority Of the returns would
be royalist, resulted in less than 80 per
cent OF the vote cast favoring a repub-
lie. As was arranged. the millions of
peasants, mostly illiterate. completely
dominated by the church and the
wealthy landowners, cast their ballots
for the King. The returns from the
cities, however. showed that all but two
OF the provincial capitals had gone
overwhelmingly Republican. With the
Admiral Aznar cabinet still functioning
word reached tie royal palace on Mon
day afternoon that Barcelona had
hoisted the Republican flag. Disorders
were reported in various parts of the
country and on Tuesday morning King
Alfonso summoned Gen. Calvacanti and
survey of the situation convinced
Gen. Calvacanti that the King could
count upon at least half the garrisons,
and perhaps two-thirds-tkese being
scattered through the country at the
most strategical points Consequently
a decree of martial law was drafted,
duly signed by the King and sent to
the royal stationers to be prepared for
PRONUNCIATION and posting over the city
and country. This was to be Alfonso's
''ace"-held back for a last bold stroke.
Provisional Government Formed.
In the meantime returns from the
cities being available and the AZnar
ca binet pledged to resign If the cleo
tons went against them. tie King sent
fer his prime minister and foreign sec
rotary, Count de Romanones, instruct
ing them to confer with DR.. Gregoire
Maranon and other anti-monarchiSt
leaders over the terms under which Al
fonso made believe he was prepared to
step down. The Socialist Republican
leaders. Alcala Zamora. Lerroux, Maura.
Marcelino Domingo and others assem-
bled at Maura's home and sat as pro-
visional government. They declared
that Alfonso should legally abdicate
and leave tie country at once. The
citizens of Madrid were already in the
streets, and unless the royal family
moved quickly the provisional govern
ment could not guarantee Its safety
At o'clock Tuesday afternoon. AL
fonso again sent Admiral Aznar to the
Republicans with the message that he
was drafting his abdication, and would
leave the country providing protection
were pledged himself and members of
the royal family and no reprisals would
be permitted against the aristocracy.
He promised to have his abdication in
the hands of the Republican leaders
by o'clock that evening. The power
would then be transferred legally and
officially to the provisional government.
Six o'clock arrived The Aznar cabi-
net went to the royal palace in a group
to hand over their portfolios The