The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1936-08-21
Afonso's Boast Il Will Die
A King" May Influence Plans
In Existing Spanish Conflict
Exiled Ruler Of Spain Dis
plays Moods Which Mir
ror His Dual Character
In All Circles
BY DEWITT MACKENZIE
Uy Associated Press)

NEW YORK, Apg. 21.-Word
from Austria that former King
Alfonso might fly back to revolu.
tien-torn Spain in an effort to
regain his throne through the
medium of the revolt has not sur
prised those who know this square.
jawed, die-hard monarch.
Alfonso has furnished ample
evidence, both by word and deed.
during his five-year exile that he
intended to try to reclaim the
crown of the Bourbons, wrested
from his unwilling hands by the
republicans in 1881. Coupled with
this is the fact that he always has
been utterly fearless of the vic.
lent death which has pursued him
persistently since the time when
he was a tiny tot whose legs were
too short to reach the floor as he
sat on the golden seat of power.
While none doubts that Alfonso
has the courage Of his convictions,
the Spanish insurgents have made
it amply clear that they do not
intend to tolerate the interview
ton of any of the royal family at
this critical juncture in a fratri-
cidal conflict which is so bitter
that it has developed into one of
determination.
Only the other day when the
Prince of the Asturias, heir pre-
sumptive to the non-existent
throne, entered Spain and tried to
enlist with the rebels, General
Emilio Mola, northern command
er compelled him to leave the
country. The general also order
ed the arrest ION sight" of any
member OF the royal family.
Mola explained his action by
saying that this is national and
not a monarchist movement. Fur
thermore, his officers said he
feared that the precence of any
of the Bourbons would cause fric-
ton in the insurgent ranks, which
include not only royalists but re-
publicans and fascists.
Laughed At Death
Whether Alfonso might be able
to overcome this attitude is some
thing which time alone can an
swer. Certainly his appearance
within the borders OF his former
kingdom would raise desperate
problem for the heterogeneous re-
bells, who have buried political
animosities temporarily for the
good of the common cause.
While Alfonso accepted the in
evitable in the revolution of 1881,
he has stubbornly refused to sur
render what he claims is the right
of the Bourbons to rule Spain.
Every time the subject has been
raised, that square jaw Of his has
come forward. Whether he may
be contemplating action now on
his own behalf. or for the benefit
of his heir, has not been made APP
parent.
King Alfonso was an anomaly
as a ruler-a sort of dual charae-
ter. On the one side he had a
rugged but charming personality
mans man and a ladies' man.
who was heartily welcomed in all
circles; he was a hard-riding, all
around sportsman whose feats
aroused the admiration of Eu-
rope, the while it trembled for
his personal safety. He laughed
in the face of death; he was demo-
cratic to the point of Bohemian
ism in his associations, and never
was happier than when mixing
with cronies among "the peo-
rle."
4 Will Die A King!
A typical example of the kings
bravery was furnished way back
in 1905 when he was youth.
While guest of the French nation
Continued on Page Four)
NV