Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-04-26
ALFONSO NOT AFRAID.
Span's King Had Courage in Going to
Barcelona.

|
| Madrid. April 25-Young Don Alfons,
| Of Spain. who only attains his 18th birth
| day next month. has strengthened to q
| very important extent his hold upon the
| good VIII OF his subjects and his prestige
abroad by the courage which he displayed
| during his ~ days stay at Barcelona
| lie had been urged by his relatives by
| his c"urtiers. and even by the principal
! statesmen of both political parties. as
| well as by the press. not to visit Barceio-
| ma. which is renowned as the most tur-
bulent city in Europe. and one that is
honeHcombed with republicanism. social
ism and anarC hism. 1t he had listened 10
these counsels he would have remained at
Madrid. But realizing with a precocity
far beyond his age the peculiar political
economical, social and regionalist fea-
lures OF the Catalan provinces, he insist
| ed on going To the spot to examine the
real state of affairs himself, and not only
did he go to Barcelona but he visited the
resorts and hauntS of the working classes
who are reputed to be anarchists con-
vcrsed with the workmen in :heir facto-
rieS in their own dialect which he had
taken the trouble to acquire. and general
~ behaved as a ruler who had entire trust
in his subjects.
During his stay two efforts were made
to asSassinate his premier. Senior Mauru
the one by means of bomb. through tn.
explosion of which several people wer..
hurt. and the other with knife, from
which the premier sustained slight
wound. But the King himself not only
even made upon his life. and he has re.
turned TO Madrid, having won. if not the
aHcction. at any rate the respect. of the
people of Catalonia. who admire him for
the courage and resolution which he has
displayed in visiting them and who now
entertain some faint hope that having
studied on the spot the conditions OF
which they complained he may initiate
some step towards the remedy OF their
wrongs
Among the most striking traits of this
boy King of less than IS summers is that
ne is always disposed to listen with defer
cnce to those who are in position TO
enlighten him ON "Cosas de Espana"
Spanish affairs), but at the same time
he shows that he is curious, slightly skep-
teal. eager to investigate matters in per-
unfrequently with a decision and an in
dependence that have startled his minis
tiers ana his encourage at the royal pal
ace.
played i'm his interview with Emperor
William, as well as in the Difference.
which he invariably manifests to elderly
people. no matter how much they may
be MS humble subjects. Don Alfonso is
essentially European. But in his self
possession, in his courage, determinations
independence of character and amazing
precocity. this 17-year-old monarch is al
together an American boy. and there is
no doubt that with a King of this pecu-
liar nature to the throne, poor, troubled
SPAIN has far better chance of recov-
ering her old time prosperity and gran
deur than under any other regime. The
only thing is to allow sufficient time to
the royal lad. He Is not yet Is. and yet
he has not the impetuosity of youth. but
q caution and elaboration astonishing
in so young n man, and which are based
on the modest consciousness of his own
ineXperence the latter a shortcoming to
which every day that passes brings it's
remedy.
While on this subject it may be of In.
terest to mention that, thanks to the
training of his mother; Queen Christina,
the present King of England and most of
II English royal family; ambi:dextrous.
Culture Society which has for its object
the training Of people to .;,,n use their left
the support which the society has receive
ed from the reigning house house OF England
its popularity. Queen Victoria could
write or sketch as readily with her left
never attained the amazing dexterity of
Sir Edwin Landseer, the celebrated paint