Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1902-09-04
sPAIN,s KING DlsAPPoINTs.
He Shows a Tendency to Wild and
Reckless Ways.

neSNIeSS ways
Chicago. Sent. 4-William +. Curtis,
in an Atlantic City special to the
Record-Herald, says:
Having been crowned and relieved
from the authority of his pious and
serious mother, young King Alfonso OF
Spain is showing symptoms of self-wiil
and waywardness that We're the chief
characteristics of his father and OF his
grandmother. who is known in the an
nails 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 sover-
eisn OF Spain; few women have more
sins and crimes to atone for than nus
mother Both had what are called re-
.eeming traits but. unfortunately. that
is only Il 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 vir-
tues. piety and purity can not eradicate
NO women, not even Queen Victoria.
ever had less sympathy for what are
Queen Christina No woman was ever
more devout and sincere in the observ-
ance of religious duties, or endeavored
more earnestly TO instill her own piety
INTO the soul Of her boy. If prayers
avail anything. Alfonso MIL should be
the best man and the best king In Eu-
rope for his good mother and the cler-s
gy.nen with whom she is surrounded
have made him the subject of contin-
ued and most earnest sEpplication to
the throne of grace since the hour of
mis- birth. So carefully was he protected
from evil influences that he was not
even allowed to see a bull fight, the ma
tional sport of Spain. until the week of
his coronation. and would not even
lave seen one then If his mothers
wishes could have prevailed. She is
very unpopular with the Spanish peo-
pie 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
day.
Having had a most wretched expert
ence with her husband. Christina evil
IDENTIFY hoped and intended that her son
should not develop his fathers habits
and vices, but the strictness of his
bringing up and her motherly solicitude
GO not seem to have changed his ma
ture, for the waywardness and indie
pendence which he has ever shown as a
child. and for which he was never pun
ished are already developing in very
troublesome and at times sensational
manner. The king is only little more
than is years old, and il the disposition
lie now shows should become more pro-
aounced with his years. and it is more
apt to do so than otherwise, there will
be some lively times about the Spanish
court, and incidents will recall the es-
capades of his father, who was the most
reckless and democratic OF roues.
The European papers. particularly
the Paris papers. which have the full
est and most accurate correspondence
from Spain, have recently published
sensational accounts of incidents which
are said to have taken place during the
tour which his youthful majesty has
been making thru the kingdom since
his coronation. The Associated Press,
which is subject to a censor has sent
brief references to them. Private adj
vices confirm them generally. and say
tilat half the court is laughing and the
other half is weeping about the reports.
While his loyal. loving mother is all
most frantic with anxiety and grief be-
cause OF the little she has heard