ROYALTY IN SPAIN.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIV, Issue 89, 15 April 1913, Page 4

ROYALTY IN SPAIN.

King Alfonso of Spain has for the second time, by almost miraculous good fortune, escaped a violent death at the hand of an assassin. It is noteworthy that the Kings assailant is reported to be inspired by v wish to avenge the dea.th of Ferrer, the distinguished Socialist, -who was executed nearly four years ago for alleged complicity in the abortive revolution that occurred in Barcelona in 1009. Near the end of lost year the Spanish Premier, who bad refused -a proposal for the revision of Ferrers -trial, was murdered in the capital by a man who also posed as the avenger of Ferrer. No doubt from every point of view the execution of Ferrer, whether it was technically justifiable or not, was a grievous blunder for which the Spanish monarchy may yet have to pay 'heavily. Cut there is no need to go back tothe Ferrer episode to find a reason for the attacks upon Royalty, for which Spain and Portugal have become notorious during the past few years. Allegre, who has just tried to shoot King Alfonso, is an Anarchist; so. too, was Morral, who threw the bomb at the King and Queen on their wedding day, seven vcarfi aero: so, too, was Martin, who killed the Prime Minister, Canalejas, last year. Tlie Iberian Peninsula has for the past century been saturated with anti-monarchist doctrines—the heritage of the old revolutionary days: and the general misgovcrrimcnt and the discontent of the people, due to heavy taxation and the corruption that prevails in the oflicial world, are quite sufficient to account for the pi-ogrew that' Anarchist influence lias made in Spain of late. No doubt King Alfonso is personally popular; and in ability, as well as in personal character, he licems to be a great improvement on the average Spanish Bourbon. But Anarchism is inspired by a deadly Jiatred of monarchy in all its forms, and it is no respecter of persons. Many a tragic experience has proved that no ipersonal Virtues or good quali-' ties avail to protect crowned heads the insane, 'fury of the Anarchists; and kings who rule such a country as Spain nowadays must be content to carry their lives in their hands. The close- connection of our own Royal Family with the Spanish Bourbons, by the marriage of Princess Ena of Battenberg to Alfonso, of course, add 3 a pathetic interest to tlie situation, and increases the gratification that will bo felt at Home at the King's fortunate escape. But the sources of revolutionary intrigues in Spain and qf Anarchist plots throughput Europe, lie deeper than any personal prejudice, and it is not by the execution of individuals, however guilty, that Alfonso and his fellow kings can hope to guard themselves Inably against such dangers.