The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1924-10-17

nation of her expression, which gives
one the impression of happiness and
keen intelligence. She, as well as the
king, makes one feel at home at once
OF Political Significance
In fact, this luncheon had historic
importance. There had been rumors of
| friction between the king and General
Primo de Rivers, chief of the cabinet
and director of Spain. To nip those
=! false rumors in the bud, the king had
dashed off to Madrid by motor and
brought back Primo de Rivera. The
king, it must be remembered, is at the
helm CT the ship of state, Parliament
having been dissolved for the time be-
ing and laws being promulgated by
royal decree.
Also at the luncheon, and nipping
another rumor, was General Marques
de Cavelcanti, His Majesty's chief mill
tary aide, who had been reported as
about to fight a duel with Primo over
some political controversy.
As luncheon was announced 1 APP
preached the king rather hesitatingly;
''Your Majesty, you know l am sup
posed TO have the opportunity of ash.
ing you few questions :" to which
he snapped back laughing, hands in his
pocket a.. -...-..t -, -s
Don't worry, you are going to have
splendid chance of opening fire on
me as 1eunfefstand you are to be
seated newt to me at luncheon"
Opens With Sally .e
No sooner were we seated than the
king, with the sense of humor which
is one of the characteristics and which
he is most apt to turn on himself, said
to Ambassador Moore, so that every
one could hear:
Look out, over there, that you
don't so away poorer than you came
in. You are seated between the two
most active spirits of the Red Cross in
Spain. My wife and the Duchess of
Victoria are alawsy after me, and
every once in while they make me
give up the price of a champion polo
pony, so l am warning you!
We were being served the first
course, iced water-melon-an American
touch-when began my verbal attack.
The king leaned over, all attention.
Your Majesty" l began, "a stranger
comes to Spain overwhelmed with sup
prises. Your roads for motoring are
perfect, you have good hotels and bath
tubs even in the small towns, and you
have granted women the vote, at least
in part! !"
"Aha, for that last you can thank
General de Rivera, although 1 am for
it myself. But he is a great feminist.
Are you not?" signalling across the
table TO the general.
A Good Beginning
eyes, we have made a good beginning.
All unmarried women of %, and women
who are widows or otherwise heads
of families may vote in municipal cleo
tons and may stand for election to
municipal councils"
Spain is the Wrist Latin country to
open the doors of political activity to
women.
! asked the king some leading ques-
tiOns. Not once did he say he would
rather not reveal himself, the only
stipulation being that / was to send
this article for approval. In his frank
ness, he is not so much Latin
diplomat as an American businessman.
Indeed. he said himself re does not go
in for the ordinary diplomatic methods,
but speaks out just the way he thinks
and feels.
Wants United States In Europe
What do you think of the role of the
United States in European politics?'' I
asked.
II think it great pity and an ir-
reparable loss that the United States
dropped out after the peace conference.
What do you think of the League
of Nations?"
mot democratic enough and / am
certain that must be the main objection
of your country. 1t is monOpolized by
the big nations in the council, as the
assembly where the small nations have
an equal voice has little power in the
present organization of the league.
Moreover, i feel very strongly that
Spain should have permanent seat
in the council, on account of our posi-
ton in Europe"
Are you for more disarmament and
how can it be brought about-by anoth-
er conference such as the Washington
cOfference?"
Eyes, and no. feel t Spain was
badly treated in the Washington con-
ference. We were not invited and had
no opportunity of stating our case, yet
we were arbitrarily reduced to a ton
mage of $4,000, which { 'es not allow
us even three battleShips. forever,
disarmament conference should not be
confined to naval forces, but to land
and air forces as well, and the progress
of disarmament ought in some way to
be made elastic What l mean to say
is that the political, geographical, spe-
cial and economic conditions of eaol
country ought to be taken in account,
especially the economic conditions, and
tina tournaments should be gagged iron,
year to year as conditions change"
Offers Polo Cup
His Majesty, a famous sportsmer
stated that he would gladly contribute
a cup if regular polo matches couli
be arranged between Argentina an
the United States, the first match an
every alternate one to be held in Mad
rid