Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-04-15
Alfonso Walks the Plank.

AllOTSO ALL IldQ WON warm place
in the hearts Of millions in other par
of the world. as well as in the affections
of the Spanish people, and sympathy
with him, as he joins the increasing
throng of dethroned and discrediteo
crowned heads. will not be withheld
Yet history will write down the last OF
the Bourbons as King who failed tc
grasp an opportunity.
There was no lack of handwriting on
the royal wall of old Madrid during the
six or seven years Of the ruthless Rivera
dictatorship. The fires of republicanism
were smoldering. Even blind Spaniard
could see that they were ready to flame
into a devastating blaze at a propitious
moment Alfonso fiddled while Spain
burned. He has paid the penalty exact
ed of many misguided monarch before
him, though he escapes with his head,
which is more than some of the breed
did in days gone by.
Events broke over Alfonso's hapless
head. despite the shadows cast plenti-
ness. Even though Spain went repub-
lican Overwhelmingly in the municipal
elections Of April IL, it was thought the
throne was safe at least until the cleo
tons for the Cortes in May and June.
Count Romanones, the strong man Of
the Aznar cabinet, told the King the jig
was already up-that waiting for sue
ceeding expressions of the nations re-
publican viii at the polls would be but
to postpone the evil day Abdication
having become inevitable, Alfonso stood
not upon the order of his going, but
went pronto-to use the Spanish idiom
exactly suited to the occasion.
1t is a picturesque coincidence that
the Spanish kingdom passed into the
discard on April IA, .sPan-American
day." which commentaries the ami
versary Of the lone continental COM
munity'' now happily typihed by the
republics of the Western World. Ex-
cept for the United States and Brazil.
which is Of Portuguese extraction, all
of the other Americas are of Spanish
origin. Throughout Latin America there
must be poignant heart-searching today
over the fate of the ancient mother
land. Perhaps Latin Americans, who
have themselves during the past year
developed superactivity in the field
Of revolution, may arrogate to them
selves some credit. for inoculating 'ithe
old country" with the virus of rebellion
against the regime which had outlived
Its usefulness.
With what irresistible rapidity is one
time monarchial Europe diyesting itself
ct its ancient characterl Gone are the
sceptered sways which once and but
yesteryear reigned supreme in Russia
ana Germany, in Austria and Hungary.
IN Turkey and Greece, In Portugal, and
now In next-door Spainl Great Britain,
the Netherlands. Italy, the Balkan
states and the Scandinavian kingdoms
remain loyal to the monarchial system.
With the power Of the Bourbons broken
and in the dust, men everywhere will
inevitably ask how long it will be before
the rest OF the monarchial system ''over
there" viii crumble. Its supporters are
justified in taking stock and in profit
ing betimes from the mistakes which
caused Alfonso XIII to join the world
army Of the unemployed.
Meantime. Spain will be welcomed
into the family Of the worlds republics.
For the Spanish people the Government
and citizens Of the United States can
never cherish any but the friendliest Of
sentiments. The land which Columbus
discovered wishes the land Of Ferdinand
and Isabella happiness, prosperity and
unalloyed success in the experiment
upon which it now embarks.