Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-04-18
BERENGUER FACES
CHARGES IN SPAIN
FOR EXECUTIONS
Acts of Monarchist Leaders
in Rivera's Dictatorship Also
to Be Probed.
MADRID AND BARCELONA
ARRIVE AT AGREEMENT
Catalan Autonomy Question Will
Be Settled by Proposed Consti'
tutional Convention.
~ the Associated Press.

Sy the Associated Press.
MADRID, April 18.-The possibility
Of prosecuting former Premier Damaso
Berenguer and monarchist leaders in
the dictatorship of the late Gen. Primo
de Rivera was being studied today by
the republican government.
Neither Senior Berenguer nor others
will be actually arrested, spokesman say,
until the government has investigated
their acts and formulated definite
charges against them. The former
premier surrendered last night and was
liberated on his pledge that he would
present himself when needed.
Senior Berenguer's alleged response
bility for the execution Of Capts. Galan
and Hernandez, who were leaders in
the Jaca revolt in December, is one
OF the accusations pending.
Anido to Be Investigated.
The government also plans to investi-
gate the administration of Gen. Mar
tinez Anido as governor of Barcelona
and a right-hand man of Senior de
NINGTd, AlCH. NLAAO vigil
ously disturbances against the dictator
ship and it is alleged he personally was
responsible for deaths and injuries to
civilians.
The peseta improved to a mark of
$50 to the dollar the exchange showed
increasing strength and a general at
mosphere of more confidence in the
Republic seemed to develop.
The government also plans TO inveSti-
IN hn AZ rf a
peSetaS contributed to the De Rivera
dictatorship by banks and commercial
houseS-Some say under preSSure-and
supposedly used by the dictator for
charity.
Angel Galarza, new attorney general
said In regard to the general prosecu-
tions:
mo formal charges or formal public
trials will be mace unless and until the
Republican government is ready to pre-
sent formal bills of indictment. We will
arrest nobody until we are prepared TO
prefer charges. We will first investigate
in private processes reports of malad-
ministration of funds. abuse Of power
and other crimes attributed TO the pre-
eeding administrations"
Faces Examination Monday.
Thus. Senior Berenguer probably will
be examined privately by a special
judge Monday in proceedings similar
to grand jury investigation. 1t is the
opinion in some quarters that he may
be sentenced to prison because repub-
Leans, many Of whom were jailed by
Ane monarchy. feel that SINE one
should taste the same medicine.
The republic has no idea OF attempt
ing TO try King Alfonso for his respon-
sability in setting up the De Rivera
dictatorship or for the Morocco mill
tary disasters, observers 5ald. The
prevailing idea seems to be that Alton
so is finished as a ruler, is abroad, not
20 return. and should be left alone.
Catalonia's battle for independence
Will be fought by the orators in the halls
Of a natioral constitutional convention
and not by soldiers on battlefields in
the sunny southern coast province.
The new provisional government here
today hailed the victory OF three of its
ministers. who, after an airplane flight
10 Barcelona last night, Wrung from
the Catalonian President, Col. Francisco
Macia, pledge TO submit SeparatiSt de-
mands and demands for political au-
tonomy to the projected constitutional
convention. meanwhile cooperating
with Madrid.
The accord reached at Barcelona re-
moved the most pressing of the political
problems facing the junta set up by
Don Niceto Alcala Zamora, provisional
President. Alexandra LerrouX minister
of state, said that the other pressing
Separatist movement, that OF the
Basque Provinces. had not taken def
mite form and was causing no appre-
hension.
Crowd Cheers Accord.
Col Macia, at Barcelona, announced
the accord with Madrid from govern
ment house balcony to a cheering
crowd, informing them that it had
been decided that the Catalonian Re-
public would cease TO exist for the time
being, but would bear the name Com
monwealth Of Catalonia" unit in the
Spanish Republican Federation.
The Barcelona negotiations were car
Yied on by Fernando de Los Rios, min
lister OF justice; Marcelino Domingo,
minister OF instruction, and Luis Nico-
lau Deliver. minister Of economy, a
Catalan. Prior TO their departure Ler-
would not have hesitated TO use force
to maintain Spanish Spain as a whole
Debts TO Be Recognized.
Miguel Maura, new minister Of in
terror has instructed newly appoint
ed provincial governors TO report to The
government any cases in which priests
used their churches for spreading po-
litical pre- paganda. There Is no formal
law iorbidding preaching OF politics in
the churches, but the government feels
it wise to restrain such procedure for
the present.
The governors were told TO remain
neutral in questions relating 10 the
church and net TO attend ceremonies in
their Official capacities. adding that
they were always TO maintain maximum
courtesy with the ecclesiastical authori-
ties"
The provisional government an
nounced that 1t would recognize all
debts OF the monarchy. the immediate
result being strengthening of stocks and
securities on the exchange. 1t was I'M
derstood that there has as yet been nc
draft on the $50 ,00O, 900 credit arranged
fnr the rrevinms government by the ]