Evening star., 1947-04-01
Spanish Parliament
Certain 70 Approve
Monarchy Decree
By the As.oeie.sd p,...

By the As.oeie.sd Pres,
MADRID, April 1.--overwhelm-
ing parliamentary approval was
forecast today for Generalissimo
Frances proposal to declare that
Spain, although her throne has
been vacant for 1e years, is still
a monarchy and to outline pro-
cedure for selecting the country's
next ruler-whether King or re-
gent.
The measure was introduced in
the Cortes fParliament) last night.
on the eve OF SPANS "victory Day. ]"
the eighth anniversary celebration
OF francois victory In the civil war
Approval was assured by the fact
that an overwhelming ma jority of
tn. Cortes members were selected
by the Franco government,
Gen Franco made four balcony
appearances at the palace today.
acknowledging parading demonstra-
tors who shouted Franco, Franco,
Franco"
With frmness and patriotism, we
shall make Spain steadfast," he told
the crowd which appeared far
smaller that that of last year. The
best OF SPANS armed forces pa
raded before the general for an hour
and 40 minutes along jam-packed-
Csstellana avenue.
Decree Read on Radio.
The proposal, in the form of a
decree, was read over all Spanish
radio stations yesterday following a
35-nninute speech by Gen. Franco,
which was devoted mainly to his
economic ideas and to a denuncia-
ton Of "Marxism.' He declared that
the rest Of the world had finally
Joined him in hating and fearing
communism.
The measure, labeled "a bill on
succession to the chief of state"
was the first public admission that
Gen. Franco has ever made that
his regime was merely temporary.
It did not, however, fix any tenure
Of office for him as chief OF state"
and presumably would leave him
in power for the rest of his life II he
wished It, He is now 81 years old.
An authoritative source, who gre
dicted last week that such a pro-
posal was forthcoming, said 1t was
designed for its effect on the out
side world.
To provide the method for choos-
ing his successor, Gen. Franco went
back into history and suggested re-
constitution of the Council of the
Kingdom" which Spanish kings for
centuries appointed to determine
the succession in case of doubt.
Council Would Include IL.
As outlined by the generahssimo,
the council would consist of IL per-
sons, eight of them picked by him.
They would include. the president
OF the Cortes, the ranking military
leader Of the country and the
Roman Catholic primate of Spain,
now Enrique Cardinal Pla y Deniel
The proposal SAYS the next
ruler of SPANS $4,000 900 should be
Of royal blood, male. over 80 years
old, Spanish, a Roman Catholic and
a supporter of the fundamental laws
decreed by the Franco regime.
Gen. Franco himself may propose
a successor at any time, or If he
should die or become incapacitated
the Council of - the Kingdom, by
two-thirds vote, would propose
to the Cortes, which in
turn would be required to approve
by the same margin. |
Interim rule, pending selection of
a new ruler, would~beA exercised by
a regency council, composed of the
Cortes President, the Cardinal Pri-
mate and the ranking military ofi-
eer. OF. the land. /
Neither the law nor Gen. Frances
speech mentioned Don Juan. the son
If Spain's last King and the present
so-called "pretender," or any other
candidate for the Job of succeeding
Gen. Franco.
Monarchists Back Don Juan.
Don Juan is not barred. however,
md he has the support Of most of
spain's Monarchists, but a Mon
,rchist spokesman already has
,oiced criticism of the Franco pro-
,osal and some Monarchists called
t unacceptable"
Some OF the supporters Of Don
ruan, who has publicly withdrawn
lis support of the Franco regime.
aid 1t was Juans cue to denounce
Sen. Franco again and also the new
plan.
The Spanish throne has been un-
occupied since King Alfonso XIII
eft the country in 1881. He never
enounced the throne, but died In
.xile In l94l Gen. Franco granted
permission fer him to be buried In
LII