Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-04-23
AlfOnsO's Friends and Foes
Subject of Wide Comment

revolution" argues the Los Angeles
Times, pointing out that SPANS trou-
bleS are economic and the control of
economic forces is not yet in mans
possession" That success is doubtful
is the judgment of the South Bend
Tribune, while the Louisville Courier
Journal suggests that perhaps the
states OF the country are as hostile and
divided as they have bsen additionally"
and the Charlotte News warns that
graft persists in spite of democracy
and paitisanry oftentimes becomes less
benevolent than monarchy" The Roa-
noke World-News says Sympathy with
the Spanish people in their aspirations
for more liberal government, while gen.
eral in the United States, will be tenn
| pered by doubts of the possibility of
establishing anything like true repre-
sentative government in land where a
large part OF the population is illiterate,
where there is no free press, and where
there is no background of free express
sion or free government"
X
The nations present attempt to rule
itself sesms certain to result in q form
OF democratic deSpotism that may or
may not be endured" in the judgment
OF the ASbury Park Press. sThe Lynch
burg News raises the question as to the
ultimate verdict on the problem whether
republics and constitutional monarchies
possess as many shortcomings as did
absolute monarchies
Discussing the passing of the mon
archy, the Atlanta Journal exclaims:
Spain republic! Spain of the Hans
burgs and the Bourbons. of Charles the
Fifth. OF Philip the Second and Duke
Ava! Spain of a thousand years of
monarchy! Incredible 1t seems. incred-
lole IT would be, had we not so lately
witnessed the vanishing of the Roman
OILS from Russia, the Hohenzollerns
from Germany, the Hapsburgs from
Austria. In such a twilight of the
kings the exit of Alfonso the TThir-
teenth appears not unnatural Yet
1t IS somehow as hard to picture
spain without a crown as without
castles and bells and colorful state and
ancientry.' :" What day NAV bring
forth for the newborn republic. there
Is no predicting the factors are too
numerous and diverse the possibilities
TOO may. But of all who wish Spain
a happy issue out of her present uncer-
families and future rich in prosperity
ana progress, none does so more heartily
than the United States of America"
With Alfonso's abdication passed
what had seemed an almost impregnable
fortress of monarchy" saws the New
York Sun, adding, AT the same time
CtIele passed from spain man of
strong democratic tendencies. admired
for his human qualities and his un-
oaunted courage, one endowed with
such patriotic regard for his country
That he preferred to accept the de-
mandS made upon him rather than IRE.
cipitate civil strife
1T is merely local disturbance +"
states the Columbus Ohio State Journal
with the appraisal that Its moral, If
1t has any, is that probably the only
constant thing in this world is change J"
The Milwaukee Journal views his de-
parture as in the nature of a COUP
and the good qualities of Alfonso are
lauded by the Cleveland Plain Dealer
and the Rochester TimesiUnion. The
Newark Evening News Concludes that
ne will be heard from again." The
Wheeling Intelligencer describes him
as man of wealth and adds that
none OF the Bourbons appears to have
been more prudent in either personal
or public policy" The Charleston IS.
CD News and Courier saws in review of
his career: For Alfonso. who was
literally born king, the problems have
been solved. He has been beset on all
sides for years. One threat against his
throne after another has followed fire.
quently. The danger of the collapse
OF the monarchy has been real. His
personal wealth assures him of COM
fort in whatever land he takes up resi-
dence. The former King is about 10
find peace"