New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-10-21
ALFONSO IN PARIS.
HIS RECEPTION AND THE REASON FOR 1T.
[FRoM REGULAR CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRIBUSE.l


I Champs ElysGes in 1915 looking at re-
view of Russian Prussian, Hanoverian and
English troops. The strange faces strange uniforms
and strange music Of the different regiments exer-
cised kind Of fascination on the Parisians.
crowd gaZed with peasurable excitement at High
anders, COssacks, relocated Brtishers and Deaths
Head Brunswickers. Bagppes screeched and
skirled as the Duchess of Gordon's men filed
past the Iron Duke, who sat impassye
On his charger. A mercuual Frenchman rushed
up to DR.. Cunning and wringng his hand ex-
claimed: "You may say what you like, but the city
of Paris is and always viii be the Queen of Europe.
What other capital could present such a spectacle
that to all its inhabitants None, none but
Parisw There some truth iii this. When Paris
presented the spectacle of the second siege in 1871
the poorest people were happy to think that the
eyes of Europe were fixed upon the Parisians.
well remember the delight of an old Federalist when
he heard that the London papers did not pay nearly
much attention to the entrance of Kaiser Wilhelm
into Berlin as to the bombardment
In the way of a curious sight nothing could have
been more delightfully."- Partisan than the state
visit" of his Majesty, King Alfonso, to the French
metropolis. For my part | must say enjoyed it
immensely. 1t was very droll and productive OF tho
most unexpected and surprising Incidents The
London press has been in state of virtuous indig-
nation over the whole affair." and does not see things
as they really were. 1t assumes that the famous
NJ. Levy Oppert Blowitz really was'in danger-be-
cause he spoke with O foreign accent-of being torn
to pieces and that the correspondent of The Telegraph
saw with his own eyes all that he reported. The
truth was, that the imaginative representative OF
The London Times was recognized, called by bis
name, and as he passed about, looking as
though the fate of Europe depended upon his get
ting good place, was laughed at heartily As TO
the other correspondent he through the eyes Of
the AfOnsist GGHlOs as comparison of his dispatch
with the report given in the French journal of the
Kings reception will show. There were very few
rOughs, there was positively no menacing rowdy
ism, but there intense and universal irony and
sarcasm. Paris begged Alfonso TO accept the ex-
preston of its thorough contempt, as /
believe New-York would have DONE too,
if he had landed there under similar cir
cumstances. Perhaps it was impolitic to do
So But what great public manifestation Of anger
ever was politci The throwing of the tea into the
Boston harbor was, have no doubt, censured by
many staid and conventiOn-bound Highlander
as a crazy act. and it certainly would have been
treated as such by all grave historians if Washing
ton had been defeated by King Georges troops.
What did the Parisians see in King Alfonso's
State visit whole lot of things. 1t
was a stone intended to knock down
whole flock of birds. Certainly the Ministry
hoped, by parading Don Alfonso in tho
streets, at the Opera House and at review at
Longchamps, to divert attention from Tonquin and
to get up a current Of feeling which would mill
tate against the Clemencist Radicals, who have
been triumphng at all the partial cleo
tions for the Chamber. | do not be-
lieve that NJ. Jules Ferry himself or any of
his leading colleagues wanted to facilitate an Or
nv n
through the great thorOughfares. But this idea was
in the heads of the lukewam and money getting
Republicans whose views are expressed in the
D6bats and the Temps. 1t was also har-
bored by those shady Gambettists who
attached themselves to Gambetta when be was at
the top Of the wheel and not before, and who sue
cecded in sOating him from those friends who fol-
lowed him in difficult times. NJ Leon RenaUlt and
~ Herrson saw in the Kings visit an occasion for
promoting financial schemes. II was an understood
thing that Alfonso, although here officially"
was TO run down for day to the Chateau d Eu TO
visit prince who wanted to put himself forward
at the Comte de Chambords funeral as the legit-
mate King of France. A large and brilliant
party of Royalists had been asked TO meet
the Spanish King. This part of his Majesty's pro-
gramme, believe grated more Oh the nerves OF the
Parisaus than even the Coonelcy of the Schleswig-
Hostein Uhlans.
1t was a foolish thing for the Government TO ask
Alfonso to come here officially. The modern
French heart has vast capacity for the worship OF
heroes. but none whatever for kings whose majesty
is thing of mere convention. 1t was also very
stupid to give out that the whole of the streets,
from the northern terminus to the Spanish Ems
bassy in the Rue Dominique st. German
were to be lined with troops, and that
a grand review was to be held in the Bots de
o. la ltyiai W
sure way to draw a crowd of persons whose hearts
were infamed with anger against him, as rubbing
him with honey would have been to attract flies
and wasps When his cariage-ride through Paris
was likely TO assume spectacular form, people
could not help rushing to witness it. But knowing
that their curiosity would be taken by all those
who openly or secretly wish for the destruc-
ton of the Republic as sign that
monarchical feeling was springing up again,
they determined to manifest their true
sentiments This they did without violence, and
Excepting the hawkers of Red journals and OK
catchpenny attacks on the royal stranger With
out scurrity. Every one laughed There were
many cries of There goes the Uhlan King"
"Why does he not wear the pointed casquei"
give Ia R6publque!" Viva pEspagnesW "Nive
Gr6yylD But not word about Marfori, the Casa
de Campo affair the Duchess Of Medina Coll,
blanche Espronceda, or other scandals. They be-
onged to the private life of Alfonso, and did not
concern the Parsians. All the latter set up to
iudge were certain public acts which had close
connection with his visit
The Judgment was merited. That admirable ora
tor and thorough gentleman, CASTELAR,, thinks 1t
was. and expresses this opinion in his journal lie
also says that he esteems the Parisians more highly
for having made Alfonso feel that his room was
more welcome than his company. Why should
great nation bear being walked upon by this king
ngi If lac had not been received as nc was by the
crowds drawn by the promise of street spectacle
into the thoroughfares by which he passed,
the whole anti-Republican press would have drawn
the inference from the respectful curiosity that even
Paris was sick of the Republic and longed to see tha
old ROYAL line restored Bowitz and the other as
Ierxs of the nndnn MOnld