The year before, his eldest son, and heir to the' throne, Alfonso Prince of Asturias, married a commoner, the Cuban, Edelmira San-Pedro-Ocepo, against his father's wishes, Don Alfonso. insisted that his son give up his rights. to the throne, This was done and he was created Count of. Covadanoya.
From that time, there was constant anxiety for the Count's health, following constant attacks of haemophilip.
In the same year, Don Alfonso lost his youngest son, Don Gonza'o He was injured in a motor acold-ut in Austria. Haemophilia prevented bim from being saved by a necessary operation, and he died the day the accident "occurred, at the age ailment, brother's example and, also.. reilnquished his rights to the throne, King Alfonso has been described as one of the richest monarchs of his time, but precise figures were never, made public, Some of his intimates said he had fewer personal fons than was commonly believed, It was known, however, that he inherited a personal fortune of several millions which He increased materially by successful investments in British and other securities. Those acquainted with his aptitude for finance said that, had he mot been born a king, he would have won a high position in business, His passion for motoring made him an advocate of good roads and during the Prime de Rivera D'ctaworship he realized a project he had worked.on for a long time—a first-class system of modern highways over much of Spain.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.