New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1918-03-13


overlooks; what he hears is spoken to
him, what he sees Is prepared for him
to look at.
The King of Spain is perfectly aware
of this royal disadvantage, and does
what he can to overcome it, partly by
seeing as many different kinds of peo-
pie as he can and partly by the exer-
else Of his own very considerable in
tellgence. It is his character, more
over to be sympathetic; and this, too,
haws it's pitfalls, for In alters outside
his Immediate knowledge he is readily
open to persuasion. Perhaps too open,
for he seems sometimes to be int1u-
enced by views and ideas the basis
and origin Of which cannot be really
congenial to his own candid mind. 1t
Is the weakness OF graceful natures,
and in Don Alfonso there is an essen
tial grace of character Outwardly
matched by the gracefulness of an at
titude and movement which IS re-
n1arkabIe even in q country where
eracefulness is masculine rather
than a. feminine attribute. Whether
one would say that he is more open
to persuasion than to conviction-and
the voice of the latest persuader seems
to have most influence with him
say seems" because whether this sus-
ceptibility to influence is based, in the
case of the king, on real weakness or
strength, l do not pretend to know.
The young tree swings and sways to
the winds, but only the storm can
prove the depth of its roots or the
strength of their anchorage in the soil.
It is possible, indeed, that in some
things he is too modest Where his
own instinct or Judgment would be 4
true guide to him, he seems at times
to act on the advice of those whom
he possibly feels to be better informed
than himself, and beside whose judg-
ment he perhaps deems his own to be
insecurity founded. The fear Of act
ing indiscreetly is always being in
stilled in the mind of the occupant of
throne: but King Alfonso Is in
unique position in which he can do
more to influence his country by his
own character and example than any
other among the diminishing number
of constitutional monarchs.
We talked about this one day, and
he was remarkably frank and clear
minded about it. He loves his Spain
there is no doubt about that. More
than once in our talks he has said
Remember, I am a Spaniard first,
Spanish soldier next, and King g.
or pro-this or anti-that-"after-
ward"
His first anxiety is to do wisely and
rightly for Spain; how to do it and
wherein wisdom consists is naturally
not always clear. The army is what
he knows best in Spain. Military
science has been his special study. and
in his role of soldier he takes himself
very seriously, indeed. But the mill
IN hi
off from him personally; between
their lives and his life, their difficult
ties and his difficulties. is interposed
a peculiar system of government, over
which, in fact, neither they nor he
have much actual control; although I
like to think that the crowds of poor
people who loaf all day in the sun in
the very shadow of the palace walls,
who bring their meals there and play
their games there, symbolic an in
timacy that exists in the heart, even
If it finds no other outward impress
sion.
Don Alfonso has this attribute Of
kingship; that in moro than one re-
spect he is in advance of his people.
In his attitude toward sport, for OK
ample, he comes nearer to the English
ideal than possibly any other Span
Of sport that consists in looking on
at bull-f1ghts and betting on pelota
matches. He loves the active role. In
polo his Is courageous, dashing,
hard rtding, and rather rough game,
variegated by a streak OF stunt shots.
In polo, as in motor driving, it is the
danger and the pace that he loves
He is one of the best partridge shots
living and an implacable killer. Here,
also, it is the pace that he loves and
the danger-in this case to the par
fridge.
once said to him that the real
danger to a king in his position lay
not in the poor people who had not
enough to eat. not in the strikers
against economic injustice, but in the
idle young men of the upper classes
who do nothing, sacrifice nothing, cre-
ate nothing for the good of their coun-
try.
II quite agree with you," he said
and proved it by telling me OF some
Of his schemes for training and in
ducing this idle class to take some real
part in the work of the country. HTS
influence on them can only be for
good; but 1t is an appalling task, even
for q king to undertake almost single
handed-the reformation OF a whole
class. But here, also, whether he sue
ceeds or not, 1T will not be for lack Of
courageous effort
OF course, we talked Of the war;
but here he asked questions more than
expressed opinions, and I eau honest
ly say that on no occasion did he
say anything as to where his private
sympathies lay. But I am entitled to
my own opinion. and it was Of a ma
n
telling him about the war as I have
seen it by sea and land.
His courage Is perhaps the noblest
and most conspicuous thing about
King Alfonso. 1t is courage of the
very finest temper. l spoke Of the