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1914, the King of Spain told him in confidence that King Albert of Belgium had
agreed to let the German troops through Belgium without molestation in the event
of war with France. Albert could not make his promise good and the consequent
disastrous result followed.
Alphonso told Willard that the Kaiser had tried to buy, by decorations,
flattery and special favors, the smaller monarchs of Europe. He had tried his
blandishments on him. He said if he had been in Albert's place and his people
had defended their country rather than submit as he had promised, he, Alphonso,
would have abdicated and joined the Belgian Army as a private and fought through-
out the war. I wonder?
He also told Willard, in the event of war, he would never lead his men
into a danger he was unwilling to share with them. Again, I wonder? Willard
wrote this conversation down, but has told it to no one, not ever to the Pres-
ident.
This reminds me of that part of my diary which relates to my visit to the
King of the Belgians at La Panne in February of this year. It will be noted
that I mentioned that he seemed to have a slight pro-German leaning. There
was nothing he actually said that made me think this, nevertheless, I had that
impression while I was with him.
Willard said that on the 10th of May, King Alphonso sent for him and
asked him to transmit a message to the President to the effect that he would
like to know whether the President did not think the time was growing propi-
tious for a peace move. Willard sent the cable and the King asked him several
times whether he had received an answer. Willard repeated the message and
then repeated it again, but he did not get a reply until the 15th of August.
Willard says it has ruined his influence at Madrid and he felt that it
would be wise to transfer him to another post since he had noticed a distinct
| Title | ms_0466_s2_v4_328 |
| Transcript | 1914, the King of Spain told him in confidence that King Albert of Belgium had agreed to let the German troops through Belgium without molestation in the event of war with France. Albert could not make his promise good and the consequent disastrous result followed. Alphonso told Willard that the Kaiser had tried to buy, by decorations, flattery and special favors, the smaller monarchs of Europe. He had tried his blandishments on him. He said if he had been in Albert's place and his people had defended their country rather than submit as he had promised, he, Alphonso, would have abdicated and joined the Belgian Army as a private and fought through- out the war. I wonder? He also told Willard, in the event of war, he would never lead his men into a danger he was unwilling to share with them. Again, I wonder? Willard wrote this conversation down, but has told it to no one, not ever to the Pres- ident. This reminds me of that part of my diary which relates to my visit to the King of the Belgians at La Panne in February of this year. It will be noted that I mentioned that he seemed to have a slight pro-German leaning. There was nothing he actually said that made me think this, nevertheless, I had that impression while I was with him. Willard said that on the 10th of May, King Alphonso sent for him and asked him to transmit a message to the President to the effect that he would like to know whether the President did not think the time was growing propi- tious for a peace move. Willard sent the cable and the King asked him several times whether he had received an answer. Willard repeated the message and then repeated it again, but he did not get a reply until the 15th of August. Willard says it has ruined his influence at Madrid and he felt that it would be wise to transfer him to another post since he had noticed a distinct |
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