Following Spain's catastrophic defeat at the Battle of Annual in 1921, when 10,000–12,000 Spanish troops died, he acted as a mediator between the Spanish government and Abd el-Krim in freeing the 300 Spanish soldiers captured, "Ciudadano Echevarrieta" Deia. Retrieved 5 August 2013. for which, as a Republican, he is said to have turned down King Alfonso XIII's offer of a title.
