Regatta

His Most Catholic Majesty Alfonso XIII of Spain, courageous,! sporting, versatile, last week watched the regatta at Bilbao. The boat races over, he exhorted the young bloods of Spain to develop patriotism with sport, adding that sportsmanship among the nations was a less expensive way of promoting international concord than the League of Nations, of which Spain, huffed, is not at present an active member. (TIME, Sept. 20, 1926).-- Said he, after announcing that the country would take part in the Olympic Games next year: "I have observed with satisfaction this year the increase in your series of boat races, indicating an increase in your love of this sport and that you prefer boats for sporting purposes to boats leaving Spain. This is doubly consoling, since the new generation is introducing a new era, representing what Spain is, was and will be.

"It must be admitted that there are Spaniards who are one thing in Spain and another across the frontier. But these are feeble-hearted Spaniards, who forget that above political ideas is patriotism, which, born of Spanish glories of the past, should outweigh petty differences. Although it pains me to say it, there are Spaniards who are Spain's worst enemies and who, on leaving Spain, permit foreign influence to make them forget the past glories of the mother country. These weak-hearted, weak-minded, weak-memoried persons are averse to recalling Spain's past, which proves her worthy, and point only to present difficulties, which make them renounce the duties of pa- triotism. Today our country's affairs are run in good order and in a sportsmanlike manner."

/-Upon one occasion, at least, Alfonso was put to an extreme test of courage. Deciding to visit a leper colony in the midst of almost inaccessible mountains, he rode on horseback for the better part of two days to the dread hamlet. There he received a great welcome. Never, in the en tire history of the colony, had a sovereign been so bold. Advancing through the street, the King was suddenly confronted by a leper, who ran out from a nearby building. Leering, his evil, malicious-looking face contorted in an ugly menace, he held out an infected hand for the King to grasp. Alfonso, blanching, hesitated, re coiled, then stepped forward and shook him warmly by the hand. For days after, it is recorded, he soaked his hand in strong disinfectant. -- Spain gave notice of withdrawal on Sept. 20, 1926. According to the League Covenant, two years must elapse before her resignation becomes effective and she ceases to be a member.