The Dickson County herald. (Dickson, Tenn.) 1907-1979, 1915-12-24
IS ANGEL Of MERCY.
Alfonso Of Spain Busiest Mon
arch in Europe.
Ne Conducts Clearing House for In
formation About the Missing" In
the War--EVsry inquiry Re-
celves Attention.


Madrid. king Alfonso OF Spain is
perhaps the busiest sovereign OF Eu.
rope those days. although his country
IL not at war. nor likely to change Its
po!ley OF neutrality a. ioRg ~ tho war
lasts. That strict and continued nea-
trality. without any political reasons
why either side OF the beiligerents de-
sires to have Spain change II, gives
King Alfonso the privilege OF appeal
ing to any country at war for news OF
soldier husbands. brothers or sweet
hearts. He 10 doing 30 for all the
women OF Europe. receiving and ro-
plying 10 several hundred letters CIV.
cry day They come from French
countesses, English servant girls, from
Austrians, Germans. Russians and Bel.
Eians, They are so numerous, num-
bering altogether about 10000, that
one whole floor In tho royal palace in
Madrid has been given up To a post
Office, where the king has installed
numerous secretaries familiar with tho
various languages and adept at read
ing every variation OF handwriting.
II all started some months ago,
when Q young lady OF France. &C.
aainted with tho kings gallant char
actor. appealed to him TO discover the
whereabouts of her hanee. She under
stood he had been made q prisoner OF
war but her own government could
give her no exact information. She
had written TO the German govern
ment. but AS her communication had
not passed through the proper chan
mel II, OF course. was never answered.
Sire A desola,o lady asks your
protection, Spain Is the land OF chly
airy. and your majesty In the greatest
Hldaigo OF CASTLE, and feel certain
wiil hear me-" she wrote 10 King Al
fnnao. relating the steps she had al
ready taken without success 10 learn
n her napce were stll In the land OF
The living
The lettcr reached the eyes OF the
king. Ho was touched by Its appeal
and at once wrote to the Spanish AM
bassador in Berlin 10 see what could
be done lie was soon able TO report
the good news that the soldier In
ouestionswas safeiy housed In a prison
, camp near Leipzig The telegraph
carried the happy tidinss to the royal
palace In Madrid. and from there to
Paris.
The whole investigation had taken
two weeks. and the grateful little
PMisiennc was 30 Wild with Joy that
she told everybody Dozens. then hun.
dreds. Of other desolate ladies fol
lowed her example, and their serv.
ants followed theirs; the story went
from country 70 country that anyone
could write to the gallant king OF
Spain and he would certainly discover
what was the address where letters
could be sent 10 the missing soldier
Not long ago tho wife Of an English
private received n long communication
from the king, written In reply TO her
letter Hln majesty took Just as much
pains with this letter aud sent II OF
with Just as many Indications on the
envelope that Il had como from the
royal palace as II he had been reply.
Ing 10 a royal princess His secretary
wrote
Although his maiestys embassy in
Berlin IL charged only with the infer,
eats OF France and Russia. his males,
~, being DESTROYS, nevertheless. Of
demonstrating hic interest in British
subjects, has grsciously acceded to
your request. and has communicated
with the Spanish ambassador In Der,
lin. commanding him to communicate
with Great Rritains representative
there--the United States ambassador
In order that tho necessary t..vest,.
cation may be made. Hts majesty
earnestly hopes thar these Inquiries
pay be the means OF procuring salts
factory Information for you"
In this case II was Ambassador Ge,
rard who served as the trst cavalier
20 the distressed English wife, passing
the news on to the Spanish amhassa.
dor that the husbands health was sx.
eelle1t and TINT ne was safely iuterred
along with his comrades. not earticu
larry enjoying war bread" out hop
ting err better times.
Tne king has thoroughly Organized
this labor OF mercy. and every letter
recssrcd In tusmsiiately aekncwt
aa9sd