Las Vegas optic., 1913-01-29
ALFONSO SURE TO
Hold ONTO HIS
throne
THERE is NO DANGER OF SPAIN
BECOMING A REPUBLIC
SAYS MINISTER.

Madrid, Jan. 29.-Antonio Maura,
former prime minister and until re
Gently leader of the conservative par
ty in Spain, informed a correspond
ent that he is retiring from political
life at the earnest entreaty of mis-
family, to spend the remaining years
of his life in quietness. He considers
that his notions Of governing this
most "ungovernable nation" as he
has characterized it, do not coincide
with present day ideas prevalent in
Spain.
"The Spanish crown mas no more
loyal or faithful servant than L" he
said. my act of remuneration has
brought a veritable hornets nest
about my head. My name, my charac-
ter and my fame have been stained
with mud and smirched with false.
hood; but my conscience is clear. My
decision to retire is irrevoeable and
only in the event Of King Alfonso re-
quiring my services in a moment of
Importance would l reconsider my oe
cision and return once more to po-
litical life, placing my services at
his majesty's disposition
"All rumors to the contrary, the
king received me most cordially in
audience last week. He was good
enough then to lament deeply my
determination. and he honored me
greatly by expressing satisfaction
with my devotion and services to his
person and to my country.
my illustrious friends, Don Ed
uardo Dato, ex-president OF the con.
gress, and General Azcarraga, ex-min-
lister, are using all their endeavors
to induce me to reconsider my deci-
sion, but j fear their efforts will be
fruitless, for my determination, as !
have already stated, to retire to pri-
vate life is irrevocable.
The republican, say that my re-
tirement gives a brighter prospect for
Spain, as with my conservative views
and retrograde ideas all progress is
impossible. The republicans are anx-
fous at all events to split up and dis
member the conservative party. They
think that with only the liberals to
deal with they will advance their own
ideas and prospects of a change OF
regime They are entirely mistaken.
A republic, I affirm, is an. impossi-
bility in Spain. Witness the attempt
of our Portuguese neighbors. The
change of regime in that country can,
not, | think, be regarded as a success,
! Spain, at heart, is mOnarchistic, and
the republican party must not count
on the liberals to advance their in
terests.
"The king is more popular every
day: his shrewdness and savior faire
are daily more In evidence, and in
the recent political crisis at the end
Of last year these have been very
manifest. | think his majesty acted
| in the wisest possible manner in con
tinuing to place the confidence of the
crown in the hands Of the present lib
eral government. am sure that the
/ advent to power Of the conservatives
at the present moment would have
provoked a serious conflict through
out the country, and, whatever my
enemies may allege, I certainly &c
not desire to assume the responsible
| ity of such catastrophe.
4 Since the kings marriage Englisi
ideas and customs, not only in soc.f-
but also in political life, have as
sumed an importance hitherto un
known in Spain. This all tends t
her good and is very greatly in hel
/ favor. What better example OF ad
vancement and civilization in th'
! truest sense can we have before u
than that of England's?
4 trust that when once my retire
ment is an accomplished fact thos'
who have been my companions an'
with whom I have borne the burden'
and heat OF .ne day will raIly thoi
forces to make the Conservative an
lon an unbreakable one in Its trues
sense, and that they viii ever deyot
their lives to the service Of their KIM
and country, as It has always beei
my endeavor thus loyalty to act dul
+ ing the whole course Of my politica
career"