The Savannah morning news., 1902-05-19
CAUSED Big HUBBUB
SPANISH DIGNITARIEs IN GREAT
FURORE.
THOUGHT KING WAS HURT.
ALFONSO'S APPEARANCE REAS-
SURED THEM.

Uneasy and Report That He Had
Been Attacked Set Them i'm n
Frenzy-Etiquette Thrown to the
Winds when Alfonso Appeared
and the Young King Greeted with
Ringing Cheers-AH This COmmo-
ton Was Caused by the Act of "A
CranI<-The Dynamite Plot Devel-
Oped Later.
Madrid, May 1S.-The Chamber of
Deputies, where King Alfonso yester-
day took the oath to uphold the consti-
tuition, was filled to it's utmost ca
pacity. The brilliant uniforms of the
princes, diplomats and military and
naval officers. together with the toll
cites of the ladies, oontrasted strong
ly with the evening dress of the sena-
tors and deputies present. The ladies
were mostly clad in white, their gowns
scintillated with jewels and the dia-
mond brooches that fastened their
mantillas. A soliday ray of sunlight
fell upon the central bench of the
chamber, where Gems. Blanco, Primo
Rivera and Polavieja were seated.
AT 1850 o'clock Senior Vega Armijo,
the president of the chamber, declared
the session opened, and deputation of
senators and deputies then proceeded
to the vestibule of the building to await
the coming of the King. AS time pass
ed and there was no sign of the royal
procession, the assemblage began TO
grow impatient. Then high voices. as
. -, ~
the vestibule. A general hubbub en-
sued. This was followed by a profound
silence, broken in a few moments by
several voices saying, 1T is nothing"
But the hubbub only subsidized to re-
commence a few seconds later. Then
deep anxiety seemed to prevail through
the hall. Senators, princes, deputies and
diplomats formed in little groups, in
curing what the matter was and
suggesting possible reasons for
King Alfonso's delay. but in
agitated tones, showing that the
speakers themselves doubted the rea-
sons they advanced At this moment
Senior Armijo was seen in conversation
with the Duke of Bivona, who had hur-
riedly entered the chamber. The eX-
preston on Senior Armijo's face indi-
Gated that he was receiving a commu-
nication of great Importance. Then,
with agitated demeanor, Senior ArmiJO
advanced to the front of the platform
and raised his hand as signal for ST.
lence. 1t was a most unusual step for
the president to address the assem-
blage at this period of the session and
his action produced an immediate ef
feet. A deep silence fell upon the cham
Der. In a voice filled with emotion
Senior Armijo said:
BE assured. A madman or a mis-
creant has attempted an outrage on
the King. Happily no injury was done.
The criminal was arrested"
Caused Great EXCITEMENT.
When Senior Armijo had concluded
general outcry of Indignation and pro-
testation arose. For some moments
the distinguished personages present
seemed to have lost their senses. An
ordinary tone of voice appeared made
quate to express their feelings, and
shouts alone were heard. In the two
principal tribunes. and especially
among the diplomats, CONSERVATION
prevailed. The members of the gov
eminent were on their feet and gather
ed in a group. excitedly discussing the
matter. The bishops, several of whom
were present. stood in another group
gesticulating to each other. Many of
the ladies in the gallery rose and
moved towards the doors as though
fearing a catastrophe, while senators
and deputies filled the passage-ways
between the benches and asked ques
tons which nobody answered.
An Ovation to the King.
But only a few seconds had elapsed
before cheers from outside the build
ing were heard in the chamber. 1t
was the assembled crowd giving an
ovation to the King, who had arrived.
and who entered the hall, preceded by
the parliamentary deputation. AS the
youthful form of his majesty passed
between the curtains hanging in the
doorway at the back of the platform
and was perceived by the occupants
of the Chamber, all the rules of eti-
quette, which were solemnly laid down
in the program, were cast to the winds,
and the assemblage, including the
persons in the public galleries, sent
forth ringing cheer after cheer, crying
Viva Ell Rey,"
The King was serene of aspect and
smiled and bowed in response to the
prolonged ovation. Finally the vocif-
erations subsidized and the voice of His
Majesty was heard enunciating coolly
and distinctly the traditional words.
BE seated" The ceremony then pro-
ceeded.
A touching incident occurred as the
members of the royal party were leav-
ing the hall. All of them had left the
chamber with the exception of the
King and the Queen Mother, when His
Majesty instinctively stepped aside to
permit his mother to pass first But
the regency having ended, she would
not permit this.
Alfonso Speaks to Army.
In assuming command of the army
and navy, King Alfonso said:
AT the moment l. myself, assume
command of the army and navy, l per-
form a duty that fills me with great
satisfaction. AS King, as general. as
a Spaniard and as your fellow citizen,
] salute you. Valor. courage. energy,
perseverance. discipline, patriotism
you have all of these. For the welfare
and the prosperity of the country I
shall live quite close to you and al
ways be with you in moments of peril.
History will speak of me when it deals
with you. Always do your duty for
the greatest splendor of the nation,
and you may rely upon the affection
Of your King"