The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-05-01

Unpleasant Prospect for Young Al
f0nsO Of Spain.
London Mail.

One of the most interesting figures Of to-
day is Alfonso XIII, King of Spain, who be-
longs entirely and exclusively to the TWEEN
on this side of 100 have been few and ire
sponsible. He does not take up the reins
OF sovereignty or assume the cares of king
revolutions may overwhelm his hapless
country.
But he already sits upon a dignified
known outside his own palace. he has a near
prospect OF ruling the destinies of 100000
subjects.
under worse auspices His name is un-
fortunate; his number pledge of bad luck.
nd fSe Wora na Sad before he
daughter Of an Austrian archduke, was con-
fronted with the hateful task Of ruling an
antipat hetic country.
impossible situation with certain distinc-
ton. If without much glory. But the son
will have a harder task set him than ever
fell to his mothers lot, and he will face the
music inexperienced anC unframed.
His aspect is familiar to everyone in
MADRID, and his presence has never yet sue
ceeded In arousing enthusiasm. Now and
again, as the guard is changed outside the
palace at Madrid, a pale, harassed face is
seen gazing from window.
The face appears suddenly, and as sud-
denly passes from your sight. There Is the
King. murmurs a lazy onlooker. and the
King II is, who looks out upon his peopie
uncheered and almost unrecognized SO. too.
you may meet him driving in the afternoon
in sad solemnity. No one raises hat or
ceeded to some of the honors which were
Philip Tvs. Even If the casual cabman
makes room for the royal cortege, he does it
with a bad grace, and with the air of a man
who has gone out of his way to pay COM
pllment to mediocrity. And yet in this king
OF thirteen years there should be all the ele-
and a monarch. If his people does not love
him, surely he might stir pity. He inspires
neither PITY nor love. He passes unnoticed-
The truth is, he has never touched the
Spanish heart. and unless he be endowed
with unexpected tact and talent he is never
his life have fought against his success. In
ins rst place. his appearance
correspond with the national type. HE is
no Spanlara says one citizen in contempt:
nantly: why should we be ruled by a
pale-faced boy. who doesn't seem to car
ry IN his veins single drop of true Span
ish blood?' Again. he is placid. almost in
ert In his manner. His hand is seldom
raised In gesture of excitement; his eyes
do not seem to burn with enthusiasm.
Inc true spanish boy. said a detractor
rag In his hand he can play at bull lighting
In the streets. Or he need never be dull II
me SIDE OF house and tennis ball sug-
At any rate. he must always be running
about, or devising a new sport The time
VIII come soon enough when he shall hide
himself In the shade or gossip idly at the
street corner. But the young King is never
taken on his guard. He seems overweighted
with the duties of the future. He Is IA
miliar enough to the inhabitants of Madrid.
yet nobody ever saw him run about or
laugh the gay: empty laugh. Of childhood.
Yet. IL the Spaniard would but remember
the past he should esteem the young King
for this very solemnity. Indeed II NAV he
SAID that Alfonso XIII Is only upholding
the tradition of his high office.
When Spain was mistress of the world
her Kings held laughter disgrace and al
the end or the seventeenth century the poor
bride of Charles ii. who did not easily for
get the manners OF her own French court.
was condemned 10 hatred for her frank hi
larity. But the Spaniard has either forgot
ten his tradition or changed his view In
his dislike OF the young King he reproyes
the precocious dignity which the contem-
above all the talents, and II Alfonso XIII is
ever to win national popularity he must
make some sudden. brusque appeal IN ff,e
peoples heart. II he would only profess an
active admiration OF bull fighting. or. better
STILL descend into the ring. his future would
Andalusian bull with his own hand. as did
Philip w, ard 80 he must keep patienee
and wait upon luck.
Unfortunate In his presence. ne Is doubly
reign his kingdom has suffered a terrific dis
aster and when the regency is over he will
succeed 10 the management OF a far smaller
empire than that over which his father
believed could ever be taken away. Is now
governed under another flag. while the phil
ippines which nrst fell under the iron Ia nd
OF Philip IL. and which two Gears since
seemed reconquered. are Spaii:'s no more.
Moreover. be has no hope Ct reconqrest.