Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-04-17
Royal Renunciations.

Upon the arrival in Paris Of former
King Alfonso of Spain, announcement
was made by the Duke Of Miranda,
chief Of the royal household, that the
King had not In fact renowned his
throne. He said:
The King has not abdicated. He
merely wished to leave Spain tempo
rarily In order not to influence the de-
cision of the Spanish people and in
order that he might not perhaps excite,
by his presence, violence which he
wished to prevent at any price. The
King has only the welfare Ct Spain 1t
heart. That consideration has dictated
his conduct. He remains at the DISPOSE
ton Of his people.
This raises O question that IL not
altogether new in matters relating to
royal titles. Rarely has an abdication
been definitely and permanently effec-
tive. In Alfonso's case there is justin
cation for the statement of the Duke
of Miranda, for according to the text
Of the Kings manifesto signed by him
in Madrid he did not actually and posi-
lively renounce the throne. He said in
that instrument:
The elections have clearly
shown me that have lost the affection
of my people. In my conscience ! am
certain that this disaffection viii not be
definitive, because I have always done
my utmost to serve Spain. am
King Of all the Spaniards and I am
myself a Spaniard. could have en-
ployed divers means to maintain the
royal prerogatives and effectively to
combat my enemies, but wish reeo-
lutely to step aside from anything that
might throw some OF my countrymen
against others in q fratricidal civil war.
I do not renounce any OF my rights
because they are more than mine-they
are the accumulated store OF history
and I shall one day have to make
rigorous account Of their conservation
I am waiting to learn the real ex-
preston Of the collective opinion OF my
people, and while I am waiting until
the nation shall speak I am deliberately
suspending the exercise Of the royal
power, and am leaving Spain, recog-
nizing in this way that she Is the sole
mistress Of her destinies.
This is quite different from the alb
dication of william II, Emperor Of Ger
many. When the military campaign Of
the central powers collapsed and theil
armies were in retreat on the western
front and rebellion had broken out ir
Germany, William fed to Holland and
Il was proclaimed that he desired tc
/ renounce the throne. That was on the
9th Of November, 1918 Not, however
until the 30th Of November. after three
weeks OF uncertainty and suspicion re-
garding the former rulers intentions
was an actual "act OF remuneration
published. On that day In Berlin ths
declaration Of abdication was issued a.
| follows:
BY the present document renounce
| forever my rights to the crown o.
prussia and the rights 70 the German
| imperial crown. release at the same
time all the officers and soldiers Of thu
Prllssian navy and army and the con.
tingents from confederate states from
| the oath Of fidelity they have taken Il
me as their Emperor, King and supreme
chief expect from them, until a new
organization Of the German Empire
exists. that they will aid those whc
effectively hold the power in Germany
70 project the terman people egalnS
the menacing dangers Of anarchy
| famine and foreign dominion. Made
and executed and signed by our owr
hand with the imperial seal at Ameron'
gen, November 26th. William.
| On the first Of December the Kaiser
eldest son renowned formally and def
nitely all rights TO the crown of PruSsis
and the German imperial crown, which
would have fallen to me by the renun'
citation Of the Emperor King or fol-
other reasons"
Thus 1t will be seen that there Is Z
wide difference between the Spanish
and the German declarations. Alfonso
in effect takes an indefinite leave o
absence from the kingship, pending 1
reconsideration by the Spanish people
william by no means willingly and a
FIRST uncertainty but finally distinct.
foreswore his royal and imperial right
and title. Alfonso may be recalled
william will never be.