The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-09-03
MAY BE ALFONSO THE BAD
The King Of Spain Sadly Disap-
points His Pious and Seri-
GUS Mother. Z

-se.c York s,.,. Special Serptoe 49,,
Chicago, Sept. 3:-William e. Curtis, in
an Atlantic City special to the Record
Herald, says: l
Having been crowned and relieved from
the authority of his pious and serious
mother, young King Alfonso Of Spain is
showing symptoms Of self-will and way
Wardness that were the chief characteris-
tics Of his father and of his grandmother.
who is known in the annals of the present
dynasty as Isabella the Bad.
Few men of his age exhausted the vices
that kings are allowed to practice more
thoroughly than the late sovereign of
Spain; few women have more sins and
crimes to atone for than his mother. Both
had what are called "redeeming traits
but, unfortunately. that is only figure
of speech; for no amount Of generosity and
good nature can atone for evil. Passion
is no doubt hereditary, and from three,
even four generations, the boy king has
inherited tendencies that his mothers
great virtues, piety and purity cannot
eradicate.
No woman. not even Queen Victoria,
ever had less pathy for what are con-
sidered fashionable vices" than Queen
Christina. No woman was ever more de-
vout and sincere in the observance Of re-
ligious duties, or endeavored more ear
neStly to 1nstill her own p1ety into tho
soul Of her boy. If prayers avail anything,
Alfonso XIII should be the best man ami
the best king in Europe. for his good
mother and the clergyman with whom she;
Is surrounded have made him the subject
Of continued and most earnest supplica-
ton to the throne Of grace since the hour
of his birth. So carefully was he pro-
tected from evil influences that he was
not even allowed to see a bull fight. the
national sport of Spain, until the week
Of his coronation, and would not even
yiaba
could have prevailed She Is very unpop-
ular with the Spanish people because Of
her religious tendencies. They declare
that she cares for nobody but her children
| and the priests, and that she goes to
| mass twenty times a day.
Having had most wretched experience
with her husband, Christina evidently
hoped and intended that her son should
| lot develop his fathers habits and vices,
but the strictness Of his bringing up and
her motherly solcitude do not seem to
have changed his nature, for the way
| Wardness and independence which he has
ever shown as child, and for which he
| was never punished, are already develop
| ing in a very troublesome and at times
sensational manner. The king Is only a
| little more than 18 years old, and if the
| disposition he now shows should become
| more pronounced with his years, and 1t is
/ more apt to do so than otherwise, there
| VIII De some livery times ABOUT the span
| ish court, and incidents will recall the
escapades and adventures Of his father
who was the most reckless and democratic
| of roues.
The European papers, particularly the
| Paris papers, which have the fullest and
| most accurate correspondence from Spain,
! have recently published sensational &C
counts Of incidents which are said to have
taken place during the tour which his
youthful majesty has been making
through the kingdom since his coronation.
| The Associated Press, which is subject to
a censor, has sent brief references to
them. Private advices confirm them gen.
| orally, and say that half the court is
| laughing and the other half isweeping
| about the reports, while his loyal loving
| mother is almost frantic with anxiety and
| grief because Of the little she has heard