Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-12-17

But setting affection aside, It would be un-
commonly inconvenient IL Don Alfonso.
as the nineteen-y ear-old sovereign Is gen.
orally called should happen to come to
grief In one of his periodical attempts to
startle the members of his suite. Such
calamity would necessitate another period
of resency-which the Spaniards dread
and a lengthy one, the present heir appa-
rent to the throne. the little Prince OF the
Austurias, being only three years OLD. Ihat
monty anxious to see the king happily mar
ried. They think that as benedict and
subsequently father. he VIII be inclined
TO take a grayer view of his responsibility
ties and thus avoid risking his skin any or
tener than necessary
II would be a mistake. however, to set
King Alfonso down for what the Spaniards
call a "maIa cabeza," or "giddy BRAIN" On
the contrary he Is rather uncommonly In
teIligent cultured and ood-hearted. But
he is really more like boy OF sixteen than
one of nearly twenty and this is undoubt-
edly due to the extraordinary amount OF
liberty he has always enjoyed-the early
fears for his health having led those respon-
sible for the king to think considerably
more of his physical than or MS inteilec-
tual development.
Perhaps too. the youngest of European
monarchs would 'cut up" less II he were
allowed to do a little more actual ruling.
But the queen mother conservative and re-
dictionary by training and instinct. probably
fears that the kings inexperience might
lead him TO follow too liberal policy of
state. Anyhow it is believed that whenever
possible she keeps him from taking hand
in the nations business. So he has good
deal of spare time at his disposal. and, all
things considered. 1t Is not surprising that
he has been the hero of some startling es
capades and incidentally set up the inter-
esting private museum already referred to.
Most OF the stories of Alfonso XIII here
related were kept out OF the newspapers.
and l have the details of them from a
highly placed official on duty In the royal
palace al Madrid.
Here is a thoroughly characteristic one
Quite recently, while at San Sebastian,
King Alfonso sailed forth on foot from his
Villa Mlramar in order to inaugurate an
exhibition of painting and sculptures.
Crossing with his retinue the principal
street of the town, he happened to pass
by coffee house before which there was
piled number of chairs and tables COM
posed OF metal. 1t suddenly occurred to
the king to leap over this heap of furni-
ture. which was pretty high, eight or ten
of the pieces being placed one upon the
other. Alfonso XIII made running jump
and passed over the whole lot, excepting
the topmost table, which fortunately fell
to the ground, otherwise his majesty might
have broken his neck or a leg. Probably
moved by feeling of gratitude toward this
table, the king bought IL and had II sent
home 10 enrich his collection of SOU
venirs
II Is almost SupernuOuS TO speak OF KING
Alfonso's Embarrassing excursions in his au-
tomobile, so much having already been told
about them, but IL may be remarked that
in continuing his furious runs the king
has disregarded the supplications of both
his mother and the members OF his govern
ment. Proceeding from San Sebastian to
Bilbao in his automobile. Alfonso XIII
Travelled at a speed OF nearly sixty miles
an hour. The automobile in which the min
lister of public instruction. Senior Mellado,
followed had necessarily to go at the same
velocity in order to keep up with his ma
Jest At O certain turningSin the road
both automobiles ran off the highway and
fell into a ditch. where, striking against
some trees they were shattered. The min
lister came of with a broken head. and his
secretary was hurt In the. legs, while the
king had his right wrist dislocated On
that occasion the young kings collection
OF souvenirs was augmented by small
strap which the sovereign had TO wear on
his injured wrist for some weeks.
On another occasion the king was ca
reering wildly along In his automobile on
the outskirts OF San Sebastian when he ae-
cidentally ran down and killed donkey.
The woman who owned the donkey natur-
ally asked fer an decentralization King Al
fonso drew out his purse and offered her a
hundred peseta note (s20). but the owner,
who had recognized the king refused the
money, saying. Excuse me- your ma jesty
!. but / think hal n iortfa Nv L {r,c,