The Washington times., 1902-07-13
Alfonso Of Spain to Tour Eu-
rope in Search Of a Spouse.
1t is Believed That Some
Princess Of Austria or Ba-
varia VIII Be Chosen.
Why Great Consideration
Is Given to Family Con
nectionS. x - ~ *
Special Correspondence of The rimes.)

@-@N
VIENNA, June 29.-Austria is in a
tremcr OF excitement over the announce
ment that King Alfonso is to come here
in search of bride. Within a few
weeks the youthful ruler of Spain will
begin a tour OF Europe for the purpose
of choosing wife, and it is deemed al
most certainty that he will select
either an Austrian or a Bavarian prin-
cess to preside with him over the des-
TIMES of the land of the castanet.
There are two most important rea-
sons for this belief. One is that the
Kings mother, Marie Christine, wants
him TO form an alliance with a family
having a most vigorous stock. The other
is that the Pope. Alfonso's godfather,
is said to favor his picking bride from
either the house of Hapsburg- Lorraine
or Of Wittelsbach, which rule Austria
Hungary and Bavaria, respectively.
The marriage of King Alfonso to an
Austrian archduchess, the most likely
event TO occur, would change very lit
tie in high politics, except, probably, to
strengthen what opposition to Germany
there is in the dual monarchy of Aus
tria-Hungary, while a union between the
houses of Wittelsbach and Bourbon
would be decidedly distasteful to the
Ian-German element because it would
undoubtedly fortify the opposition to
Prussia's leadership in Germany. This
opposition has grown wonderfully since
the German Emperor dismissed Bis
marck, who was the avowed sponsor of
what independent monarchies and prin-
cipalities were left by the events of
1866.
Is is well known that Bismarck re-
sisted a weakening of Austria beyond
the absolutely necessary contribution
of war" as well as any amalgamation
of Saxony and Bavaria with Prussia,
both of which were originally insisted
upon by King William l as one of the
fruits of Prussia's victory in 1866 The
events of 1901, so materially aided
by the attitude OF the South German
states. of course frustrated any fur
ther ambitions of William I, even TO
the point that he did not become EN-
peror of Germany" but had to be con-
tent with being German Emperor"
Important Factor in Selection.
1t may appear to the superficial read
er that this preface has precious little
to do with a proposed marriage of the
youthful King of Spain. yet the situa-
tion thus outlined will be an important
factor in the forthcoming event Of
choosing a wife for the only reigning
scion of the house of Bourbon. Should
a princess of Bavaria become Queen OF
Spain matters in Germany would be-
come much more complicated than they
are now, particularly in view of the fact
that the King of Bavaria, Otto, is a
hopeless maniac, confined at Castle
Fuerstenried.
As it happens, nearly all the avail
able Bavarian princesses are direct de-
scendants of Luitpold. the prince regent
of Bavaria. children of his son, Prince
Ludwig. who is the hereditary prince in
the event of King otto's death.
The assertion that family relations in
royal life play but subordinate role in
the worlds politics is a common fiction
and far from actual truth. In fact, 1t IS
a tradition, pure and simple, now that
Diplomacy has been revolut' onized along
Bismarckian lines. The truth is that |
royal marriages have caused more mis- |
chief in recent times than all diplo |
r1acy. The Iron Chancellor" himself /
had to succumb to this mischief, be-
cause he insisted on a marriage be-
tween William II and princess of
schleswig- Holstein.
The son of Prince Regent Luitpold |
married an Austrian archduchess. Maria |
Theresa, Of the Este line of the house !
Of FaDsburg. There are ten children !
"Y q u ~