The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-05-18
ALFONSO NOW KING.

CONCLUDED FROM FIRST PACED
tempt upon the Kings life spread to the
crowds in the street, and when the royal
party was leaving the chamber the popular
greetings were much more enthusiastic
than they had been before. The Kings
mother leaned back in her seat with a
pleased expression and with the evident in
tention to allow the King the undivided
honor of the demonstrations. King Alfonso
was also evidently pleased, and bowed and
smiled and waved his hand good
naturally.
Reference TO the records shows that Puiz
was arrested last December at the gates
of the palace. where he manifested a desire
to present to the infanta Maria Teresa,
who is the only infanta not married, a let
ter, a bouquet and a box Of sweetmeats.
1t is noteworthy in this connection that
the custom of presenting to the King or
Queen or other member of the royal fam
lily petitions while they are out driving is
quite common. Only last Thursday the
King was driving in the city, when a work
ingman stepped from the sidewalk. raised
his hat and presented TO the King a letter,
which King Alfonso took smilingly and
handed it to an officer who was with him.
The reception of the royal party at the
steps of the Church of San Francisco and
the procession up the nave was a notable
spectacle. The primate of Spain and the
archbishop of Santiago de Compostela, in
robes covered with the heaviest gold en-
broidery, the former bearing the massive
crozier and surrounded by five archbish-
ops and twenty bishops wearing striking
purple and violet vestments, received the
King in the porch, where a white canopy,
ornamented with gold and borne by five
priests, was held over their heads. The
procession, led by an anchOrite, with a
golden crucifix, passed with slow and sol
emn pace up the central aisle between the
close n of brilliantly uniformed
princes. gra1dees and diplomats, their
breasts flashing with jeweled decorations.
The Queen Regent followed the King, and
the infantas came next, while a detach-
ment of halberdiers closed the rear of the
procession, the band playing the royal
march.
DIR. J.. L. NJ. Curry. the United States
envoy, in plain evening dress, occupied
the first place among the glitteringly uni
formed ENJOYS, and was consequently the
most striking figure in the whole gather
naught, the British envoy, whose scarlet
uniform made a striking foil for the simple
attire of the American representative.
There was a numerous array of Spanish
beauties wearing white lace mantillaS.
The walls and dome of the edifice are dec
GRATED with magnificent paintings and
freScoeS, which formed a worthy setting
for the brilliant picture.
A short pause, then an empowering tide
of harmony flooded the sacred edifce, as
the orchestra, organ and choir burst into a
TIE Deum, which lasted a half hour. The
King, his mother and the other members
of the royal party left the church with the
same ceremonial which attended their en-
try, and the Kings coach drove off amid
hearty cheers and the strains of the Span
ish royal march, while peals of bells echoed
from every steeple in Madrid.
The procession passed through the
crowded streets and re-entered the palace,
where Senior Sagasta, the prime minister,
presented to his Majesty the formal resig-
nation of the Cabinet, which the King con-
firmed.
AKing Alfonso's first proclamation, issued
tonight. is addressed to the nation. After
saying that lessons of experience are
awaiting him, his Majesty expresses the
hope that he will receive from the people
the inspiration which will supply what
time has not yet taught him. The procla-
nation concludes thus: IF Providence
aids me and if the Spanish people continue
the support they have accorded my august
mother during her regency. and l do not
doubt they will, l have confidence that 1
shall succeed in my desire TO do all that
untiring devotion can accomplish for the
good of the fatherland and the peace,
grandeur and we'll being of the Spanish
nation" King Alfonso requested Premier
Sagasta TO retain the seals of office