The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1906-04-08
ALFONSO BOOSTING
SPAIN BY SOCIETY
Kings Visits and Guests
Part of Shrewd Game.
CoURTING FAVOR or EUROPE
Youth Showing Strong Independence
and Peacefully Working Country
Into Position of Influence.

MADRID, April with the control
Of Morocco by the powers OF Europe
new so arranged that Spain will have
almost half Of the voice in the man
agement of the country. the politicians
Of the Spanish capital are beginning to
wonder what eject the growing ten-
dency OF King Alfonso to do SONS raIinR
himself win have on the future OF tie
african shores OF the Mediterranean
The blandest Spanish courtesy does
not hide in the least the tiisoufetude
Of the old mobiles. who have been run
ming the government Of Spain TO suit
themselves for a great many years.
about the assertiye independence OF the
young King. and his free and easy
democracy OF manner. In spite OF the
frail physique Of his boyhood. Alfonso
has developed considerable robustness Of
mind. sound sense. and a stubborn Iik-
ing for thinking and acting for himself.
There Is not much doubt that he will
take a large personal share in the ad-
ministration OF Spanish affairs with the
passing of the years, and VIII make
his country something more than the ac-
Quiescent host that il had TO play at
Algeciras. in the company OF guests OF
vastly greater power.
New Figure at Sea.
There IS a pretty strong possibility
that he will make a new figure in the
politics OF the Mediterranean before he
has been n settled. married man long.
There Is a good deal more in his visits
IN The rfa,rS rapffaIs Of E-,rropa ora ~
entertaining royalty from the several
countries than the hunt for a bride and
the pleasantrles due TO his coming we'd
ding Alfonso is courting the favor OF
every sovereign and every people around
him, and while he Is looked upon at pres
ent as a gOod-natured. clean-minded boy
he is shrewdly letting this impression
remain in confidence that IT viii even
tually become q strong personal attach
ment TO himself and his country upon
the part OF the rulers and the peoples.
Whether upon hts own Initiative or
upon the prompting of some long-head-
ed statesman, he is daily Strengthening
the position of Spain. not by expendi-
lures upon armies and navy and other
warlike preparations, but upon skill
fully played social conquest.
At the same tine, he is winning his
own people to his side through this
same appeal TO their personal affections.
He almost goes down to their level
without in the least sacrificing his royal
dignity, and instead OF declaring them
cutthroafs and assassins by holding
aloof from them. he democratically
mingIes with them and by manifesting
confidence in them and sympathy with
them. he is gaining their trust and fel-
low-feeling.
Plays Two Games at Once.
His recent dinner to his royal guest
from Lisbon, the stout, jolly King
Carlos of Portugal. illustrates both
games that Alfonso is risvfng. He has
undoubtedly won the favor OF Portugal
in the palace as well as in the side
streets of the capital The dinner was
A part of the means to that end. Then
again. Alfonso. instead Of holding his
presence and his entertainments sacred
from common eyes. permitted the rep
resentative of an American firm Of pho
tographers to come right into the din
ing room and take pictures OF all the
ROYALTY and nobility present This
throwing open the doors to his life has
been hailed with delight by all Euro
peans.
There is no sainsaying that Alfonso
is going to be one OF the most popular
sovereigns on the Continent. And when
the statesmen of the different capitals
awaken to the fact that the little Span
ish King has grown beyond the age OF
boyhood. they will find that his wide
popularity has made him and his coun-
try an influence TO take into considera-
ton.