"When Time is Ripe"; Stirring Appeal to People Lisbon, Feb. 15.
FORMER King Alfonso of Spain addressed a dramatic letter to Spanish subjects when, on January 15, he renounced his rights to the throne, it was revealed yesterday.
Alfonso, who is in Rome, named Prince Don Juan "King of all Spaniards" when Spain judged the time opportune. His letter informed the Spanish people he was addressing them for the last time.
The letter of the monarch who abdicated his throne April 14, 1931, "Spaniards! On April 14. 1931 I addressed myself to the Spanish people announcing my decision to remove myself from Spain and deliberately suspending exercise of my Royal power without, however, renouncing thereby any of the sacred rights which history placed in me as custodian and depositor.
"I complied on that occasion with the duty of patriotism and, thanks to it, no one can assert today that Spanish blood has flowed to sustain the interests of a regime and a dynasty.
"The magnificent epic of the liberal tion of Spain, the heroism of the Army and of Spanish youth, carries the unmistakable mark of sacrifice for the fatherland that opens the way to the solidarity of all the people for their unity, liberty and greatness.
"Assured of a definite victory I felt along with it the impulse to make this declaration. And I find myself with the obligation to address myself anew, and for the last time. to all Spaniards.
[United Press.
(Continued on page 2, col. 4
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.