SPAIN: Royalty Attacked

Those who know would hardly say that Alfonso XIII, King of Spain, was in any way a ruler endowed with remarkable gifts of kingship. Yet it remains an incontrovertible fact that he is a most amiable person and a sportsman of sterling qualities. As sovereign of Spain, he is undoubtedly in a most difficult position. His democratic leanings are well enough known. In principle, he agrees with the British conception of monarchy; but, unfortunately, Director Primo Rivera and his satellites are masters of the situation and, willy-nilly, the King must bow to the inevitable and accept for the time being a military dictatorship for his country which has for its avowed purpose the purging of a corrupt political system.

Whatever the King’s personal character may be, he is at least entitled by the rules of the game to fair play. Under him, Spain may weather the anxieties of the moment and emerge triumphant, bearing the banner of democracy on high. His downfall, while it would relieve him of onerous duties, would certainly spell a prolonged period of political anarchy for Spain, in which the force of corruption would be let loose. He is the figurehead through which progress can be made ; without him Spain must go the way of the Spanish republics, the way of end less revolutions.

Thus when Vicente Blasco Ibanez, a writer of ability, but of little depth, attacks the King of Spain, his plot is doubtless fodder for the cinema kings. Beyond that it need not be taken seriously. The attack was delivered and much was made of it in the daily press. Said Blasco:

“Never has history shown a mon arch more deceitful and less powerful than the cruel and faithless puppet of the Spanish throne. Men are judged by their company. Alfonso’s greatest friend is the only man who surpasses him in ignominy, if not in stupidity — Primo Rivera. He is a companion in the King’s debauch and has dirtied the uniform in every kind of adventure and every haunt of vice.

“The time has come to put an end to the new era of the inquisition; and for that accomplishment Alfonso must go. I will know no rest until the country is free. I know the dangers I run. My family will be persecuted and my property seized, but I shall not falter. Whatever reputation I have acquired in literature and all my strength are at the service and for the deliverance of Spain.”

The New York World, champion of Liberalism, apparently could not see the woods for the trees. It declared that “Don Blasco is too intelligent not to be a republican. The King business has been a bad business for Spain.” The “King business” is a favorite expression of The World. Because the Prince of Wales is “entirely composed of prestige”—a statement far from the truth—the “King business” ought to be wound up. Because Ibanez is seen as “the greatest of all Spaniards”—an absurd contention—the “King business” in Spain ought to be wound up. A critic said: “Such childish logic disguises Liberalism with bigoted reaction. Republicanism may fit new countries ; but, for those with hundreds of years of tradition behind them, it is utter folly. Compare Germany, Austria, Russia, Hungary. Think of the suffering France has gone through to achieve republicanism.”