Franco Yields

The medical bulletin came as many Spaniards were enjoying a long weekend in celebration of the 38th anniversary of the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War that brought Generalissimo Francisco Franco to power. "The illness from which the head of state has been suffering has today suffered a regression because of gastric complications," said the report from the medical center in Madrid, where Franco has been bedridden for the past two weeks. A few hours later, Franco, 81, formally handed over his powers as chief of state and head of the armed forces to Prince Juan Carlos de Borbon y Borbon, 36, his chosen successor (see box). For the first time in nearly four decades Spain was not under the absolute rule of el Caudillo.

The ailing dictator had been hospitalized with phlebitis, an inflammation of the veins, which was not considered serious. But last week, after his condition worsened, Franco voluntarily made the decision to relinquish power. Officials emphasized that the transfer was only temporary.

Only the day before, the papers had published pictures of a smiling and apparently hale Franco, and a television film showed him chatting amiably with visitors and journalists. But after the somber bulletin, a special edition of Madrid's evening newspaper Informaciones was snapped up within minutes, and the capital was abuzz with rumors and speculation about Spain's future.

There were no signs of political unrest or of special police forces being moved into readiness round the city.

Said Minister of Information and Tourism Pio Cabanillas: "There has been a perfect transfer of constitutional power without any signs of anxiety by the Spanish people." Not quite. Many Spaniards are worried that after Franco dies Spain's various long-thwarted factions will begin contesting for power. If that happens, political observers doubt whether the good-natured Juan Carlos would be able to maintain stability.

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