"So I Said to the King. . . ."

Still as touchy about "pride" and "honor" as in their hot youth, ten or more fiery old Spanish politicians called at the Royal Palace in Madrid last week by His Majesty's command, went in wagging their handsome white beards. As each came out he boasted of what bold words he had used to long-jawed King Alfonso XIII.

"I told the King," cried Reformist (i. e. Constitutionalist) Leader Melquiades Alvarez Gonzalez, "that it was useless to waste time trying to form any cabinet except one of men who want a new constitution!"

" 'Unless we can have that,' I told His Majesty, 'no man can quell the movement of protest that will sweep Spain!' ':

"I told the King that the situation was even graver than he thought!" flashed former Prime Minister Jose Sanchez Guerra, leader of an abortive plot two years ago to overthrow the Dictatorship (TIME, Feb. 11, 1929). "His Majesty came forward and clasped me in his arms, saying, 'It is good to see you, Jose!'':

"I urged His Majesty to appoint a Liberal cabinet " said Senor Francisco Cambo, the great Catalonian leader. "But, 'Personally,' I said, 'I could not take the Prime Ministry until next July. My health is bad now and my throat is weak. I must take care of myself,' I said."

His Majesty even sought advice by long distance telephone, rang up former Foreign Minister Santiago Alba who lives in Paris, and upon whom King Alfonso called personally during his visit to France last Spring.

"I told the King then," said Senor Alba last week, "that the Spanish system of government should be made more like the English. 'You,' I said, 'should become a kind of President for life.' "

What has made His Majesty so anxious for so much unpleasant advice? He is trying to avoid what threatens to amount to a trial of the Royal Family by the Spanish people. Up to last week His Majesty had hoped that he could wind up the Spanish Dictatorship by merely proclaiming elections (TIME, Feb. 16), and allowing a constitutional Cortes (Parliament) to be elected "as if nothing had happened"--i.e. as if the constitution had not been virtually suspended and the Cortes totally suppressed since 1923. Suddenly last week King Alfonso appeared to realize that the Monarchist parties in Spain were hopelessly split among themselves and afforded no leader who could keep the new Cortes subservient to the Crown. Promptly His Majesty called off the elections he had ordered, called upon Prime Minister Damaso Berenguer (who was still in bed with eczema of the foot) and obtained the cabinet's resignation. Then began the frantic canvass of politicians, the procession of truculent greybeards, through the Royal Palace, men who have been like deflated toy balloons under the Dictatorship, but are now distended again by the breath of power.

Spain's grand old Liberal-Monarchist, former Prime Minister de Romanones, claimed the credit for King Alfonso's "wisdom'' in calling off the election.

"Nobody has any idea what might have happened if General Berenguer's cabinet had not resigned!" boasted Count de Romanones. "The entire cabinet cannot thank me enough, for the step I took."

If Count de Romanones expected to be called as Prime Minister, King Alfonso fooled him next day by jollying into office the old rebel around whom he had flung his arms, Jose Sanchez Guerra. Said he, after a second visit to the palace: "The King flattered me with eulogistic phrases. I expressed my thanks and shall attempt to form a cabinet satisfactory to his desires." Asked if his cabinet would call a Constitutional Convention, he replied: "Doubtless, but you ask the program of a government which is not yet formed."

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