During the First World War Melgar emerged as leader of minoritarian aliadófilo faction within Carlism;[REF] apart from having been a longtime French resident, he also witnessed dynastically motivated ice-cold relations between Carlos VII and Franz Joseph, developing particular enmity towards the Austrian kaiser and the Central Powers [REF].
When confronting the pro-German Mellistas Melgar resolved to provocations[REF] but mostly embarked on massive Gallophile[REF] propaganda.