The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-07-13
The aahita Daily Eagle: aaemesdau alorne Gully

| tween q double row OF the persons pres
ent on the occasion, who had been drawn
up in line on each side, the royal ladies
and the young king bowling 10 right and
| left as they passed. In the gallery out
side the chapel they received the con-
gratulations of the guests. expressed in
| courtesies and bows, marked by friendly
interest rather than a cermonious re-
spect. The royal party then proceeded 10
the apartments Of the Archduchess Isabel,
the mother Of the queen regent. who had
not been present at the ceremony. owing
to Illness.
The ceremony of confirmation, cele-
brated in the afternoon, was marked by
greater soIemnity and magnifcence than
that Of thA morning. The body of the
chapel was on this occasion left free, the
seats being arranged around It, with the
exception Of a few rows of benches IN
front, reserved for the members of the
royal household. The royal family occu-
pied the same seats that they had occu-
pied al the celebration Of the first com
munion. The chapel presented the same
festive appearance as in the morning; the
high alter glowed with flowers and blazed
with lights. The same church dignitaries
again occupied the platform before the
alter. the Bishop of Sion IN pontifical
robes and his assistants wearing richly
embroidered garments Of cloths OF gold
On the right of the officiating clergy were
seated the Pope's Nuncio and Cardinal
Sancha, Primats Of Spain and Archbishop
OF Toledo. who was TO represent in the
ceremony Don Francisco de Assist, the
sponsor of confirmation Of the young king.
To the left Of these were seated the minis
tiers of marine, of grace and justice, and
Of state, all in uniform, and the intendent-
general Of the palace. Captains Of the
hIberdiers, the members of the palace
guard and the royal equaries occupied
places around the chapel. The two rows
of benches ranged on each side were filed
with grandees Of Spain. In the front part
Of the chapel were seated the ladies OF
honor of the queen regent, richly attired,
and wearing black lace mantilas fastened
with costly jewels.
A few moments before o'clock, the
hour appointed for the ceremony, the
royal family entered the chapel, attended
by the Duke of Medina Sidonia. the Coun-
tess of Sastago. the Duke of Sotomayor,
and the Marquis of Sotomayor all occu-
plying positions in the royal household,
and Senior Alameda, captain general of
Halberders, and General Correa-
The young king wore the same plain
uniform Of an infantry cadet which he
had worn in the morning, but the queen
regent, the young princesses, and the IN
fanta Isabel were richly dressed, the hrst
in white and heliotrope silk, the young
prin princesses in pink silk, and the In
fanta Isabel in green silk. Both the queen
regent and the Infanta Isabel wore costly
Jewels 9he young king and the other
members of the royal family occupied the
same seats which they had occupied in the
morning.
Tho ceremony began by the singing by
the palace choir of the Veni Creator, after
which the Bishop Of Sion pronounced
short discourse, explaining to the young
king his duties as a monarch, and urging
him to fulfill them faithfully. Then fol-
lowed the prayers of the ritual, and the
rendering by the orchestra and choir OF
the Veni Sancte Spiritus. When the mo-
ment arrived for the material act of con-
frmation, Cardinal Sancha, acting for
Don Francisco de Assist, as sponsor to
the young king, rose from his seat and
took his place at the right of the latter.
After this part of the ceremony, the
Popes Nuneio arraying himself in ponti-
fetal robes, pronounced the benediction.
The royal family left the chapel in the
same order as in the morning, the at
tendants at the ceremony followed. and
in a few moments more the palace chapel
remained empty and silent
Strange as it may appear to those who
are unfamiliar with the Spanish character,
there is nothing here today-beyond the
leaders in the Republican and other oppo-
sition organs-to indicate the gravity OF
the situation in which Spain now finds
herself The Propagation of the Cortes has
terminated for the time being the unend-
ing debates for the purpose of fixing the
responsibility for the disasters in the Phil
ippines a question, besides, which Senior
Morets recent eloquent speech in the
chamber seems TO have satisfactorily set
tied; but it is extremely doubtful that
Senior Sagasta's cabinet, as it is at pres
ent constituted, will even without this
embarrassing demand upon its attention,
have the energy and decision required at
the present juncture to guide the ship of
state to safe harbor. 1t seems TO be
agreed, however, that the Liberal minis
try must for the present remain in power.
In recent conversation which l had with
Senior Silvela. the leader of the Dissident
/ Conservatives, he expressed this opinion
| unhesitatingly; but he also said that
modification OF the present ministry, by
which stronger elements should be intro
duced into IT, was indspensably neces-
sary. HIS party, he said. would not, in
any case, take charge of affairs at this
| juncture, not because of the grave respon-
sibilities which they would thus assume
| a consideration by which. he said. no true
/ patriot would be inHuenced-but for rea-
/ sons Of general eXpediency. But they
/ would aid the Liberal party in every posi-
/ bl emanner. and assume with them the
responsibility of concluding a peace, If
stcn q course should be decided upon.
/ lie was himself In favor OF peace. he
said, Tor which ne thought a reasonable
/ basis might be found in the acknowledge
ment by Spain of the independence Of
! Cuba. and, perhaps, her cession 70 the
/ United States Of a naval or coalirg sta
/ uon in the Philippines. He was in any
| case in favor OF the acknowledgment Of
| the Independence Of Cuba not because
/ the Cnlted states Aao CVulauaeH Il 'N'
because Spain had not the moral OF ma
terial authority over the island that would
| alone justify her in maintaining her flag
there. Porto Rico on the other hand he
! thought. ought not 70 he surrendered by
Spain. That island had prospered under
! Spanish rule. was loyal 20 Spain, and 70
/ abandon il would be 10 oetray the conf
deace Of lis people IN the mother country.
| He did TO; think, be said. thai the Uni