The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1903-11-15

lection. They have taught him almost al
that he knows. They have discussed witt
him matters of serious Importance as wei
as childish curiosity, and have had tn;
lorna ton of his mind and character. al
though, of course his mother has beer
even nearer To him. She had never beer
separated from him until recently, had
been out of his sight for scarcely an hour
and has even a greater influence over nirn
than his tutors.
lie has been instructed in naval affairs
by Rear Admiral de Tejada, an eminent
sailor. who has given him lessons in geog-
raphy, history and the science of engin-
eering Other tutors have been employed
from time 10 time fer special studies, and
| the French and English governesses en-
ployed for his sisters have conversed with
him daily in those languages
The gentlemen l have named are most
estimable men, of high principles and con-
scientious scruples from the Spanish point
| of view, but they belong to the most con-
/ sentative cas- sof their race, having all
its prejudices and habits They have never
| been anywhere outside of Spain except
! once or twice for a few days visit TO
/ Paris They know nothing of the world;
they have no sympathy or ideas outside
of their own caste, which has changed
very little since the eighteenth century.
and they have only a slight comprehen-
sion of modern affairs
! Count Andino, who has acted as secre-
tary for his youthful majesty during all
these years, is perhaps, the broadcast
minded of them all, having come more IN
contact with foreigners and foreign af-
fairs He is a most charming gentlema n
of superior ability, charming manners
and great tact, and his tendency is rather
more progressive than that of other people
who surround the king.
Alfonso has been an attentive pupil. He
has very bright mind, quick perce2-
tions, an excellent memory, an inquisitiJe
disposition and considerable patience and
persistence Few boys of his age could
have more thorough appreciation of his
position and responsibilities. and although
at times he has been willful and hayward,
he has an amiable and affectionate tenn
permanent and resembles his father in
many of the traits that won for the latter
his unusual popularity. But he has been
educated alone. He has had no playmates
except his sisters, and no regular boy
companions of his own age. Occasionally
he has received a visit from the sons y
the Dukes of Alva and Sotomayor, the
latter being the chief of the royal house
hold and the superintendent Of the palace.
The younger son of the Count Caserta,
whose brother married the Princess OF
Asturias, the kings older sister, has spent
several of his vacations at the palace
This young man has been a student for
several years at the Royal Artillery
school at Segovia, where his elder brother
the Prince of Asturias, graduated, and it
is the gossip of Madrid that he is as much
in love with the Infanta Maria Theresa,
the second sister of the king, as his
brother was with the oldest sister. Be
sides these occasional companions the
young king has had no associates of his
own age. and constant association with
men of 30 or 40 has given him d maturity
and seriousness which is unusual for mis-
age. Although he has lived but seventeen
years he has the mind and the tastes OF
a man of % or 80.
1t is unfortunate, for many reasons, that
he has not had a training similar to that
given the lamented young Prince Juan,
the only son of Ferdinand and Isabella.
Ten young men, selected from the best
families in Spain, were brought to reside
with him in the palace in order that their
emulation and association would give him
greater. manliness and increased diligence
in his studies The rule of the household
required that each should be upon an
equality; that no exception whatever
should be made in favor OF the prince,
and in their play as well as in their stud
les he had to take care of himself. lie
proved a brilliant scholar, an accomplish
ed musician and developed an amiable
generous. honorable character When 20
years old he was married to Margaret,
daughter OF the Emperor MaXimilian OF
Germany, with whom he has every pros
pect of happiness, and was established
with his bride in the palace at Salamanca
But he lived there only seven months, dy
ing October l. 1897, and was buried in the
Cathedral at Segovia under one of the
most glorious monuments in Spain.
Young Alfonso's tastes, like those of his
father. have been for the military, and
he takes great interest in the affairs of
the navy also. Several months ago he
saw for the first time in his life a feet
Of cruisers and battleships. which came
from France to one of the Spanish ports,
ga l,-,~ 1o~s-~.o oaser to have a feet
Of his own Of similar size and strength
49, ..s So. ..-.s.s,~n, upon this subject
that the recent cabinet adopted the reviv
al of the naval power as its chief policy.
The only vessels winch survived the war
with the United States are an old-fashion-
ed battIeship built in 1877. called Peley0,
and two cruisers of 5000 tons-the Cas-
los V. built in 1896. and the Lepanto.
built in 1880 Since his visit to the French
fleet the king has spent a great deal of
time studying the navies of other nations
Whenever an ambassador or a minister
visits him he invariably turns the cor
versation that way. and usually requests
him to arrange for a fleet from his coun-
try to visit Spanish port. This anxiety
to see foreign ships has caused the mem
bers OF the cabinet considerable embar-
rassment. and the request for appropria-
lions TO rebuild the navy Of Spain caused
the downfall Of the last ministry. The
proposition. which originated with the
young king. was submitted and rejected
by the cortes. But Alfonso has not for
gotten It. He continues to talk navy with
every man he meets, and insists that
Spain should resume her Appropriate posi-
ton among the naval powers Of the world.
The delicate heath Of The king has
caused his instructors TO devote more
than usual attention to his physical train
inS, and h ponds several hours ,ch
day in various 70 rms of exer- Use ii ms.