New-York tribune., 1902-05-18
ALFONSO ENTHR0NED.
SIMPLICITY MARKED TAXING
OF OATH BY SPANISH KING.
THE FOREIGN PRINCES AND SPECIAL
SCENE OF GAYETY AT MADRID.
Copyright: 1902. BY The Tribune Association)


Lspecai to The Tribune French Cable-I
Madrid, May 11.-COronatiOn or inauguration
oaths bear close resemblance to one another
Edward VII will soemnly promise in West
minister Abbey in June to govern the people OF
the United Kingdom and the dOminiOns beyond
seas according to the statutes of Parliament
and the respective laws and customs of the
same. He will also covenant TO execute the
law in justice and mercy. and TO maintain and
preserve inviolably the settlement of the Prot
estant Reformed religion established by law.
Queen Wilhelmina a few years ago in the Dutch
Calvinist church in Amsterdam promised to
observe and maintain the constitution. TO de-
fend and guard the independence and the terri
tory of the empire and to protect public and
private liberty and the rights of all her sub
jects.
The last of the Spanish Bourbons In the houses
of Congress here to-day took the even simpler
and more comprehensive oath prescribed by the
constitution. He covenanted to fulfil and com
pei all his subjects to respect the laws OF the
monarchy and to direct ali acts for the good OF
the people. Monarchy meets common
ground in the three kingdoms in the require
ments of constitutional law. The ceremony IN
Holland is the most democratic OF the three.
but to-day's function has revealed most clearly
the dependence of royalty upon the sanction
of legislative chambers
The young Kings oath administered by
the Premier. in the presence Of representative
men of both houses of Congress IL was taken
with impressive effect IN the small chamber
where the Deputies ordinarily discuss public
affairs. One OF the frescoes the walls rep
resented the oath before the Cortes at Cadiz
in 1912. and another portrayed in a symbolic
form the Cid. Columbus. Cervantes and other
eminent Spaniards. The supremacy OF the
Cortes enforced il a practical way. but the
dignity and stateliness of royalty illustrat-
ed by the presence of a large body OF special
representatives Of various monarchical states
and republican commemorative as witnesses
The small chamber was hardly large enough to
accommodate this illustrious company OK
princes, diplomats and soldiers.
The Dukes of Connaught and Genoa. the
Grand Duke Vladimir. the Archduke Eugene.
Princes Albrecht. Nicholas Eugene and Chris
tian, and Charles Of Denmark were prominent
figures in brilliant uniforms. military or naval
General Florentin was in the uniform OF the
French army and DIR. Curry in evening dress.
Siam. China, Japan and nearly all the South
American republics represented The
Queen Regent and the Spanish princes and
princess formed small group by themselves.
English precedent has been closely followed
IN emphasizing the Importance OF the special
embassies for the function corresponding to the
coronation. The foreign princes and diplomats
were the most prominent figures at the cere-
mony. and the Cortes We're restricted TO COM
parativeIy small delegations These foreign
witnesses were guests of the Crown, and were
conducted to the houses of Congress in royal
carriages. with Spanish grandees to wait upon
them. DR. Curry drove from the house which.
with full retinue of servants. has been placed
at his disposal for a fortnight. 1t is hand
some mansion with two towers. large dining
room furnished in oak. a sumptuOus drawing
room with Louis QUinze decorations and fur
nishings and a Louis Quatorze reception room.
A handsome bouquet awaited Mrs. Curry's ar
rival. and all the ARA ngements for electric
lighting and the comfort of the special am
bassador and his niece. Mrs Coke. were
pIete. Every possible honor has been paid in
the English form to all the special ambassadors.
Every reasonable precaution has been taken to
provide for the safety of the princes and special
ambassadors. and Minister Weyler. Minister
OF War. had massed large force of regulars
at the capital. estimated high a. sixty thou
sand The route of the royal progress from the
palace to the houses Of Congress was heavily
lined with troops hours before the function oc-
CURED. The soldiers were well disciplined and
trained in the work OF maintaining order and
exercising restraint crowds Good nature
prevailed and there was genuine holiday
spirit
The chief thoroughfares were decorated with
simplicity but not without taste. There were
and rosettes of artificial flowers from side to
side and across the roadway. The fronts OF
buildings were decorated with hangings in
bright cOlOrs. and there were CLEANS OF gold
everywhere. TO match the royal scarlet. The
preparations had been deferred until the last
moment but when the work of decoration was
finished there a beautiful display of color.
The Spaniards have the same naive talent as
the Dutch for producing tasteful decorative ef-
fects gala days by the simplest possible
means.
The Kings popularity evident from the
rocking spirit of the crowds. we'll as the
hearty acclamations with which he was greeted
all the way from the palace to the houses OF
Congress
While the stately ceremony at the COrtes was
witnessed by privileged spectators alone. the
royal procession was watched in silence. but
with eager interest by joyous multitudes Not
a cheer raised the splendid array OF
gilded and emblazoned coaches. with pictu-
resquely dressed Positions. outriders and coach
men. swept by The exoectant throng had been
easily controlled by the close military line on
each side of the way. and had watched with
curiosity. but without emotion. the gay
equipages conveying the special ambassadors.
officials and grandees to the congress.
1t long. leisurely. struggling cavaIcade
headed by horses with gay trappinss led by
servants in royal 1veries. and followed by the
carriages Of grandees like the Duke of AIva.
emblazoned with gilt. and with positions and
Cutriders COstumed in many cOlOrs- -green.
orange. red. blue and black The carriages were
mainly drawn by six or four horses. and made
a splendid array. Buglers and mounted sol
Giers heralded the approach of the royal car
md