The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-07-24

Prince Leopold Of Hohenzollern siRmaringon
had been suggested. but was temporarily aban-
doned owing to the signs Of dissatisfaction
which appeared In France. Immediate action,
however, on tho part OF the Government was
rendered Indispensable by the abdication OF
Queen Isabella on June %. 1870, In favor OF
her son. the Prince OF Asturias. afterward
Alfonso XII. King Of Spain. just one week
later the Council Of Ministers decided to notify
the powers that the national choice had fallen
, on the Prince OF Hohenzollen. Five days later
the Prince signlfled his assent to the terms pro-
posed, provided his candidature were rati-
fed by the Cortes. II is well known that
the Princes acceptance Of the Spanish
throne provoked the widest tumult In Paris,
and led to such vehement protests on the part
OF the Ministers Of Napoleon Ill. that the Prince
wns compelled by the Berlin Government TO
withdraw his candidature. For a while there
after the attempts on the part OF Spain to pro-
cure a King we're postponed. But. after the
disaster OF Sedan and the September reyolu-
ton in Paris. the Madrid Government resumed
negotiations with q view OF obtaining a king
from the house OF Savoy. The dynastic
objections which in 1853 had prevented
Prince Amadeus from accepting tho o1er OF
the Spanish throne were no longer valid. the
birth of the Prince OF Naples In 1850 having
provided Prince Humbe with an heir. Cen
eral PRINTS propositions were consequently
received with favor by Victor Emmanuel. and
consent TO the Spanish request was signined
on condition that the Duke Of Aosta should be
called to tho throne by a plurality OF votes in
the Cortes. There was a further condition
that the good will OF the powers should be
secured, but this was easily satisfied. It
had boon. however. no easy matter to
persuade the Prince himself to accept tho
candidature. He honestly believed himself
unequal to the task OF restoring harmony
among tho warning factions in Spain. and,
when he yielded, 1t was in Difference to the
wish Of others and sorely against personal in
clinatlon. 1t is said that only by a subterfuge
did King Victor Emmanuel finally overcome
his sons reluctance. "Of course" he remarked.
on an occasion when the topic was under dis
cussion. lit is very hot in Spain at this time.
and, by going there, you would run the
risk Of a disagrceable adventure. perhaps even
get a bit OF lead In your ribs" The idea that
his refusal might DO attributed to fear OF bodily
hurt was intolerable and Amadeus con-
sented to go. Some influence was also ex-
erted on his mind by the fact that he
could hardly be considered as In alien
by Spaniards, but, on the contrary, even rabid
Nationalist might be brought to a knowledge
Of his right to cast in his lot with theirs. The
house OF Savoy had a reversionary title to
the crown OF Spain. Philip V. by a royal de-
cree which formed an integral part Of THE treaty
OF Utrecht. had declared on Nov. 8. 1712, that,
on the failure OF his legitimate descendants. he
should be succeeded by the Duke Of Savoy.
and, on the failure OF the Dukes male line. by
Prince Amadeus OF Carignano and his sons.
who, as descendants OF the 1nfanta Catherine,
daughter of Philip H.. had q recognized right
to the throne OF Spain.
The acceptance OF the Prince once obtained.
the Madrid Government, on the opening Of the
Cortes. on Nov. 3, 1870. formally presented
Amadeus OF Savoy. Duke Of Aosta. as a candi-
date for the throne. In the balloting which
subsequently took place 81 members par
ticipated OF these. 101 voted for the Duke Of
Aosta. As the majority required by law for the
election Of a monarch was but 173. Don Manuel
Ruiz Zorrilla, the President Of the Chamber.
announced that Amadeus Of Savoy had been
chosen King Of Spain. Shortly afterward an
official deputation appointed by the Cortes to
tender the crown to Prince Amadeus
left Madrid for Genoa with President
Ruiz Zorrilla at its head. On Dec. 4. 1870. the
delegation was received In the Throne Room OF
the Pitt Palace at Florence. and Victor Emman-
uel gave his consent to his sons acceptance Of
the Spanish crown. On the conclusion OF the
ceremonies and fetes at Florence attending his
investiture OF the dignity conferred on him,
Amadeus returned to Turin to confer with his
wife. who. still suffering from the effects of her
recent conference.-the Count Of Turin was
born on Nov. "a. 1S70-had been unable to ac-
company her husband to the capital. On
Christmas night the King-elect embarked at
vey him to Cartagena-