The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1902-06-01
MY GIVE VITALITY
AIfonzo's Accession May Re-
vive Power of Spain.
FRIENDSHIP IS SUED
BY Many Countries, the Fore.
most Being Russia.

LsHdon, May a.-Spain Is again a GEN.
ter of European attention. Scarcely has
Alfonso XIII begun the performance Of
the duties of ac&al sovereignty before
the press of the principal cities revive the
discussion, which was very active year
| ago. of overtures TO Spain by several of
the great powers.
II Is definitely asserted in dispatches to
London from st. Petersburg, Paris and
| Berlin that Russia, France and Germany
are suing ardently for Castilian friend
| ship. The same dispatches declare that
in those capitals Britain Is credited with
a warm desire to establish closer rela-
tons with AIfonsos government of Maria
Christina
Russia is the most importunate of
SPANS suitors, and there are indications
that her intentions are more faverably
regarded by the influential spaniards gen.
orally than those Of Germany or Britain
As is well known. Spain, shortly after
the war with the United States, received
formal offer from the Russian govern
ment to join the dual alliance. The late
Count Muravief. who was then the cars
foreign minister, rendered the invitation
while on visit to the Spanish court at
San Sebastian.
Although this was declined by the Sill
vela cabinet, the statement was made at
the time that Silveia and several of his
leading supporters welcomed the idea
with especial favor. Russia II is under
stood, has now preached anew the ques-
ton, especially as affecting the Moroccan
and Mediterranean issues.
There Is no doubt that the Paris gov
eminent is actively assisting Russia.
Spaniards of all political views have been
closely drawn to France by the help she
gave Spain in settling her disordered H.
nances after the treaty odf Paris
While the war was in progress II was
to France. even more than to Austria,
that Spain looked for sympathy and dip
lomatic assistance. AS all the world
knows, she received both. IL was the am
bassador of France in Washington who
engineered the delicate details leading up
to the cessation of the war
While there is nothing to indicate that
Senior Sagasta himself has modified his
old-time hostility TO everything Russian.
ne has never publicly repudiated the idea
that Spain, after recognizing ner army,
navy and internal administration, might
enter into some sort of combination with
a great power.
Sagasta is far advanced in years and
will not long consent to continue in Of
fee. His most likely successor in the
leadership of Spanish dynastic liberals is
Senior Moret. The latter sustains close
relations with French statesmen and
hnanciers. whose interest is certainly not
to antagonize the Russian program.
At all events, judging from the tone OF
an important section of the Spanish press,
there are prominent statesmen in both
the principal monarchiaI parties who are
ready to hear what Russia has to say.
Britain is vitality interested in the
Franco-Russian scheme. Any event or
series of events tending TO union of
Spain with the dual alliance closely con-
Germs the power which holds. and intends
TO hold. Gibraltar. To keep the rock and
everything it stands for is essential to
Britain. France has always dangied be-
fore Spain the chance of some day recov-
ering Gibraltar
British diplomacy. setting temptation
against temptation. has recently limited
to Spain that there are conditions-and
not very difficult ones-under which Brit
ain might enable Spain to realize large
part of her ambitions on the Moorish
coast.
The Temps of Paris emphasizes the in
crea sing Angiomania among Spaniards of
a certain school," and calls upon the
French government to conclude some
arrangement with Spain that Will fore
stall Britain. who is quite capable of
making a bargain for the Balearic is |
lands. the brightest jewels left In the |
Spanish crown
Germany, though in no position TO make |
a direct proposal to Spain for a Spanish |
German combination. is endeayoring to |
compass her own ends by promoting in |
Spain a feeling of good will for Britain. |
The kaiser is now hand in hand with |
King Edward along the whole route from /
Gibraltar TO the Persian gulf
Immense as are BritaiRs interests in
those of Germany are not far /
behind The Russian press warns Spain .
that the intrigues OF Britain and Ger
many may shortly produce a situation in /
Morocco which only the force OF arms
viii be able to solve"
Alfonso's reign VIII not have continued
ong before Spain wifi have something /
10 offer" as Sagasta has put Il. Though
,he tesnporizes now and afficfaliy pro-
-esses a desire 10 remain neutral. Europe
would not be surprised TO learn IN the
,ompa rativeIy near future that Spain,
ike Britain. had adopted a policy OF al
iances. The fascinating question IS with
What great power viii she combine