INTERVIEW WITH KING ALFONSO

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3138, 17 July 1917, Page 5

INTERVIEW WITH KING ALFONSO

■SPANISH MONARCH ON MODERN KINGSHIP "WHO MORE MODERN THAN I?" London, July 15. A "Daily. Express" correspondent interviewed King Alfonso, who emphasised that Spain must remain neutral to the end, unless attacked. The relations of Spain with. Britain and France were excellent. Spain was able to supply them, with material if England would supply her with coal and the United States with cotton. Somo Spaniards admired the pre-war reputation of the Germany Army, but the pro-Gormana were in no wise anti-All^. Referring to the crisis, lie said that Spain was suffering from financial indigestion, resulting from the industrial unrest. The situation was complicated by a patriotic movement in the Army, which wants to see tho money voted for tho Army utilised in the best possible way. ■ The Army has demanded to be modernised, but it was untrue that its discipline and loyalty were impaired.' Another complication was that the Catalonians demanded a sort of home rule. Tho Government was prepared to satisfy justified demands from all parts of Spain, but tho crisis could not be settled before the end of the war. He thought the war would- last a long time. It was impossible for him to offer mediation after the recent declarations by Mr. Lloyd George and M. Eibot. The war would cause an immense upheaval in all countries, and future Governments would lean towards State Socialism. He regretted that the Spanish reformers, who were formerly pro-Monarchists, now sided with the Republicans. "They: say I belong to past ages; but is there a more modern King than I?"—Aus.-N.Z. Cable issu.