News In Brief

Trial of Spanish colonels begins in overthrow case

The trial of four Army colonels charged with conspiring to overthrow Spain's democracy opened here Tuesday, Monitor contributor Kathy White reports. The president of the tribunal was replaced only hours before the trial opened, after the defense charged he was ''politically hostile'' to the accused.

The trial of the two colonels and two lieutenant colonels is expected to last only four days. If found guilty, besides being cashiered, three of the colonels may receive 15-year sentences and the fourth, 12 years and a day.

Since coming to power, the Socialists have cut back a top-heavy Army and brought the military command under the civil authority of the minister of defense.