Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1902-05-17
TO-DAY'S TELEGRAPHIC NEWS
Coronation of Alfonso XIII.

~
"King of Gibraltar, Of the East and
West Indies, and OF the Continent oil
Oceanis," was made reignipg sovereign
of his monarchy this afternoon In the
Chamber ,of Deputies. One Thousand
people, including ali the members oil
the Cortes, the mobiles and grsndees OF
Spain, and the representatives, OF foreign
governments were present al tne cere-
mony. The act OF transforming boy
who today reached bis sixteenth oirth-
day into the responsible ruler oil elgn-
teen millions people, took less tnan Ten
minutes. 40 oath TO observe the span
ish constitution was administered TO
the young monarch who swore on
crucifix and the four evsngels and the
coronation was over. No crown was
placed on the Kings head, and all slgns
OF authority were absent. After taxing
the oath bis Majesty proceeded to the
cathedral Of San Fraoc.sco, where ne
received the benediction OF the cardinal
archbishop of Toledo, the Spanish pfi-
mate. The King then returned to the
royal palace and received the conerat'
ulatioDs OF the foreign ENJOYS. Three
hundred thousand people saw the pro-
cession, aud at least half as many more
tried unsuccessfully TO catch glimpse
OF the cortege ss it passed through the
streets.
The decorations OF the city were on
an elaborate scale and presented q
beautiful blend of rich Spanish oolors,
enhanced by the brilliant sunshine,
which lasted throughout the day..
At2 o'clock saIvo of artillery hred
from the palace grounds announced
that the royal procession bad started.
1t was long line OF medieval uni
forms, gaily caparlsoned horses, ana
golden cOacnes. The soldiers and at
PENDANTS wore costumes OF the time oil
Charles V. as q reminder of the period
when Spain was mistress OF the most
OF Europe. The govern ment spent sew
eral fortunes In providing uniforms for
those in the line. The gold lace worn
by twenty-five servants that waited on
the kiog alone cost $50, 600.
The carriages OF Alionso's court are
the most costly 10 Europe. They were
inlsid with gold, silver, tortoise shell,
and rare woods, aud on the panels were
paintings by the most famous ARTISTS,
while every part from axles to drivers
box, was heavily gilded. These bear
ing the high iunctionaries of the court
we're drawn by four horses, those with
the members OF the royal family inside,
had elk, and the kings coach had
eight. Beside the extra horses, Alton
| so's carriage was disiinguishaole from
the others By huge golden crown
that rest I'd on the top, and, four great
ostrich plumes at the corners OF the
roof. The horses were covered with
silk and gold cloth, and each was leo
by member Of the royal household
carrying gold staff.
Alfonso wore for the fret time 8
field msrshal's uniform. with the order
of the Golden Fleece on his coat. As
the sign of his rank, he carried Mar"
| shal's baton, the same one that belong
ed TO Ferdinand VI. a century and
half ago. Alfonso was greeted with the
utmost enthusiasm. The cheering was
1eafening. He looked from right to
Left, bowlng and smiling continually 10
response to the calls OF the people. The
| procession was nearly an hour In reach
| Jog the congress building. AS the King
entered the hall he stood for a moment,
and bowed first TO the foreign ENJOYS,
| then to tho members of the chamber,
and fiaally to the Spanish mobiles. The
salu'e was returned, and his Majesty
walked sloSly across the room to the
throne, which was mounted on raised
dais with an altar in front. On one
side of the room were the members OF
the diplomatic corps, all in brilliant
uniforms, except the Grsndees OF Spain
| 10 scarlet dress, with their wives 10 low
necked white gowns, fairly ablsZe with
Jewels. Il sewhere we're the members
of parliament, 10 court attire and
specially invited guests.
When the King reached the throne
the President of the Chamber advanced
toward him, bowed low, and proceeded
to administer the oath. His Majesty
listened to the reading and then re-
peated, in shrill boyish tones, though
| with 10 nervous accent: ~ swear to
obey and ID compel obedience to tOe
constitution aud laws of the monarchy
and make the good OF the people the
inspiration of my acts. II thus do,
may God reward me; If not, may He
punish me-" The young monarch then
| kissed the Bible aud the crucifix and
stepped from the throne. His mother
was standing near. The boy raised
his arm, and the Queen Regent alb
dicated her title by DOWing her head,
and touching her lips to her sons hand.
The homage OF the mother to the SOD
was a necessary part of the show. AL
fonso Strengthened himself, and pro.
ceeded from the room TO his coach.
| The procession was reformed and pro.
| ceeded to the San Francisco cathedral.
Alfonso was now the actual ruler OF
his kingdom.
o. the way to the Cortes Al
fonso and the Queen Regent rode
10 the same coacn, but after leav-
ing Congress the king rode alone,
as an intlmation OF his new position rs
real head fthe nation. At the cathe-
dral his Majesty walked 10 the altar,
where stood the venerable Spanish
primate. surrounded by numerous prel-
ates. The boy knelt before the old
man, who stretched forth his hand ADD
pronounced the benediction. Instantly
the great choir OF the cathedral began
to cnsnt the TIE Dsum, and at the same
moment In ell the churches throughout
Spain the choirs ohanted the refrain.
Alfonso then proceeded back to his
carriage, and the cortege marched
back to the palace, now accompanied
| nv meals of church bells. from all parts