The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-04-21

Scenes and Incidents Described by a
London Correspondent.

LONDON. April 2L-The Madrid corre-
spondent Of the Daily Mail telegraphing
Wednesday, says: "On few occasions has
Madrid witnessed such scenes of popular
enthusiasm as to-day, when the Queen Re-
gent, accompanied by the King, dressed in
the uniform of the Infantry Cadets, with
the insignia of the Golden Fleece, travelled
IA state, with all the pomp that makes the
Spanish court famous, from the palace to
the Senate hall. The distance is very short,
not more than four minutes walk. The
Plaza de Orient and the Plaza MINISTRIES,
which the court and procession had to trav-
erse, were most densely crowded, chiefly
with people Of the upper and middle classes.
The moment the batteries announced the
departure Of the Queen Regent and the
King, the excitement became intense. When,
ct the end of a long procession of hussars,
royal piquers, state coaches carrying the
chief ladies in waiting, the chamberlains of
the court and the grandees Of Spain, the
royal carriage appeared at the gate of the
palace the enthusiasm burst forth in a long
and interminable cheering, such as had not
been heard in Spain since the day when the
late King Alfonso returned from Paris. The
infantry, which lined the way to the Senate,
the cavalry and the mounted civil guards,
sent to preserve order, had hard work to
keep the crowd, frantic with enthusiasm,
from approaching the royal carriage and es-
corting it. The Queen Regent appeared
much moved, though she is usually of inn
passive demeanor. The King looked on the
crowd with evident pleasure, with feelings
as enthusiastic as theirs, and saluted every
moment in military fashion. Long live the
queen, Long live the King, Long live
Spain! We're the cries necessarily given.
The spirit Of the crowds in the streets per-
vaded the secluded halls of the Senate, and
when the doors were thrown wide open for
the royal persons to enter, thousands of dis
tinguished spectators, who filled the CALLER
les. deputies and senators rose to their feet
and received the Queen and King with
laundering acclamationS
The hall Of session presented a most
animated appearance. 1t was gay with a
bright note of color. Ladies in spring cos
tunes flied the front rows of the galleries.
they were most enthusiastic, cheering and
waving their handkerchiefs and fans. 1t
was long before silence was established.
The Queen Regent and the King, escorted
ny commissions from the Senate and the
gate, took seats on their throne. The gov
= ernment, the captains general, the grandees
side and the diplomatic corps on the other.
Senator Sagasta advanced and handed the
Queen Regent the speech from the throne.
Her Majesty read it, while seated, in a
calm, clear voice. all others standing.
It is against Spanish etiquette to inter
rupt the reading of a. speech from the
throne, but the enthusiasm and emotion
were too great and the soemnity of the oc-
caslon was too impressive. Twice had her
Majesty to stop while the cheers, acclama-
tons and vivas for Spain, the Queen Regent
and the King made her speaking impossible.
The cheering was still more frantic when
their Majesties left the Senate and so it
was in the streets.
Senor Gullon, the foreign minister, to-day
received the British charge d'affaires, who
put forward on behalf of his government
an urgent request for explanation as to
how Spain will carry out her right of visit
Ing ships in the case of war. The leaders
Of the ministerial party say that until war
breaks out there will certainly be no politi-
cal crisis. and that, if any changes in the
Cabinet should occur, they will be made
against the views of Senior Sagasta. But
anything is possible. My personal impress
sion Ii that Spain will make no reply to
the American ultimatum on Saturday but
viii leave to the Americans the responsible
1tv of commencing military action.
At Valencia the medical students have
organized demonstrations and burned an
American flag. At Santiago also there has
been demonstration of students, but it
was not characterized by any special Incl
dent The aggressive attitude of the Ameri-
cans, it Is presumed, will produce a re-
xnarkable patriotic demonstration in the
cham bers. 1T is said that permanent sit
tlngs will be held in both Houses, but that
the session will he verV short -