Evening star., 1924-10-14
BY CONSTANCE DREXEL.

Special Correspondent of The star and the
North American Newspaper Alliance.
1t is difficult to describe ones
astonishment at finding SO many pre-
conceived notions of Spain changed
overnight by visit to the country.
one of these notions is that the King
OF Spain is a mere tigurehead. who
ST-nds his days in sport. But in
movements. framkneSs of speech.
rCrartee ands other characteristics, tn e
King is the closest replica to Presi-
dent Roosevelt that can be ina gined.
The chances OF discovering this are
limited. as meeting royal families in
Europe with any opportunity of con-
Nersation is very rare indeed. And
as for quoting il king, especially the
King of Spain, who is Il monarch
bound by many fixed traditions, that
has been practically out of the ques-
ton
The royal family was at the Sum
,ner palace in Santander. 1t never
occurred to me their majesties would
invite me to a notable luncheon party
and that l would be seated on the
right hand Of the King.
We motored up to the palace just
before 1880. the hour set for the
luncheon. on a brilliant Summer Sun
day-Am ba sSador Moore and myself
There was little pomp. The palace
is modern, of gray granite, and is set
on a small peninsula in the ocean
Two royal guards in colorful uniform
Il few footmen in blue in the hall
leading into large summery dra w
Ing room. which opened on wide,
awninged terrace. Below. dancing
yachts. and beyond them n cruiser
ready for the Kings orders.
y group was already in the room
the women in semi-sports clothes, the
men in white tiannels. for they had
been yachting after church that
morning.
Has ROOSeVeltian Grip.
The King was in the midst of the
group. in white flannel trousers and
n double breasted navy blue coat and
soft silk shirt. He stepped briskly
out and grasped the Ambassador with
a RooseVeltian grip and "A Delighted
to see YOU The King does not look
like Roosevelt-far from it--but he
gives the same impression of intense
alertness, and his decisive way OF
speaking, leaning down and looking
one straight in the eye are the same.
Only 3S years old. he looks even
younger.
Presentations followed. and the
men withdrew to one side to chat
while cocktails were brought in.
The queen-Queen Victoria Eu-
senia, granddaughter of Queen Vic
toria and cousin Of the King of
England and of the Queen of Ru-
Tnania-had walked into the room,
simply and without formality, a
radiant picture in a white crepe de
chine frock with long sleeves and
only a bit of silk fringe on the skirt
as trimming. Her jewels were large
single pearls at the ears, enhancing
the milkiness of her skin, and sap
phires in two rings and set with
diamonds on chain, enhancing the
blue of her eyes. The queen is every
inch queen. Her photographs do
not adequately portray her lovely
golden hair, her very fair skin,
smiling eyes in heavy dark lashes
graphs depict the animation of her
expression which gives one the i'm
preston Of happiness and keen in
makes one feel at home at once. In
deed. there was delightful feeling
of camaraderie in the entire party,
and most historic names in Spain
were represented, but important
political personages as well.
Luncheon Significant.
In fact, this luncheon had historic
Importance. There had been rumors
Of friction between the King and Gen.
Primo de Rivera, chief of the cabinet
and dictator Of Spain. To nip those
false rumors in the bud, the King had
dashed off to Madrid by motor and