Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-05-17
Brilliant Function at Corona
ton Of Spain's King.
GREAT STREET PARADE
FOLLOWED By IMPRESSIVE CERE-
NoNY AT THE PALACE.
ALI Madrid Was Out to See the Inter-
esting Spectacle This
Afternoon.

A1LSIu0o0.
MADRID. May liking Alfonso attained
his majority today and became king In fact
as well as in name, having reached the age
(sixteen) prescribed by the constitution.
Beautiful weather favored this. the CEN
trail day Of the fctes. At an early hour all
the bands Of music Of the troops composing
the garrison marched through the principal
streets playing lively marches to the royal
palace, where they performed beneath the
windows Of the kings apartments.
The queen regent has sent the following
letter to the premier, Senior Sagasta:
"On terminal ting today the regency to
which 1 was called by the constitution at
a time of profound sadness and unexpected
widewhood, feel in the depth OF my heart
the necessity of expressing to the Spanish
people my immense and unchanging graft
tude for the proofs of affection and support
which 1 have received from all classes Of
society. If at that time / fOresaw that
without the loyalty and confidence of the
people l would be unable to fulfill my mis-
sion, today. in looking back on this period
the longest of all Spanish regencies, and
recollecting the bitter trials which Proyi-
dence has spared US, l appreciate those
virtues in all their magnitude. affirming
that, thanks to Them the nation has been
able to traverse such a profound crisis UNI
der conditions which augur an epoch OF
tranquil well being for the future.
An Appeal for Her Son.
Therefore. in handing to King Alfonso
XIII the powers which have exercised in
his name. l am confident that all the Span
iards who are gathering around him will
inspire him with the confidence and forth
tude necessary to fulfil the hopes placed in
him.
That will be the most complete recon-
penSe for his mother, who, having devoted
her life to the fulflment of her duties,
begs God to protect her son, In order that,
enlulating the glories of his ancestors, he
may succeed in giving peace and prosperity
to the noble people over whom he will reign
tomorrow ! beg you to make known to all
Spaniards this sincere expression of my
profound thanks and the fervent wishes l
make for the felicity OF our beloved coun-
try"
The royal procession was formed on the
Plaza de Arnas, in front of the palace shortly
before pm, and proceeded to the cham
Der of deputies, where. in the presence of
the senators and deputies, the king took
the oath to uphold the constitution.
The procession which emerged from the
court yard of the palace amid the booming
of cannon, proceeded, at walking pace.
through the streets, gay with flags and
bunting and beneath festoons of evergreen,
which at some parts of the route formed
yeritabe vaults of foliage and flowers to
the chamber of deputies, before the steps
of which had been erected purple canopy.
A delegation, consisting Of twelve sena
tors and twelve deputies, received their
majesties at the steps, and. preceded by
the mace bearers, they were conducted
through the ante-chambers, filled with
courtiers and others who were unable to
find accommodation in the chamber itself
King Mounts the Platform.
The king. queen regent and the Prince
and Princess of the Asturias assembled a
platform specially constructed. facing the
semi circular, gilded hall, around which
the benches were filled to their capacity by
senators. deputies. courtiers and ministers
The foreign princes and other special en-
yoys were seated Immediately to the right
Of the platform. which was draped with
red. Four giided arm chairs were placed
in the front of the PLATFORM beneath a red
canopy. The king and queen regent. who
had entered together. took the center seats
and the Prince and Princess of the AS
| tur1as seated themselves in the others On
the left of the king stood table on which
was Bible. with silver crucifix beside it.
On the other side of his majesty was a
stool. upon which was a golden crown
blazing with jewels and a scepter
AS the royal party entered the hall every
one present rose and remained standing
un,li the queen regent pronounced the
The president of the chamber Senior Vega
Arm1Jo, who approached the table on which
| the Bible rested, then said amid impres-
sive silence:
Senior, the cOrtes, convokeI by YOUR
august mother. are assembled to receive
fIom your majesty the OATH which in ac-
cordance with the constitution YOU come tn
take, to maintain the constitution and
laws" ~
King Takes the Oath.
Senior Armijo then drew near to the king
and held out the Bible. at the same time
keeping book containing the formula of
| the oath. His majesty placing his right
hand on the Bible, then uttered the follow
ing words:
Il swear by God. upon the Holy Bible. to
maintain the constitution and laws If 80 |
do may God reward me. If 1 do not may
de call me to account
The queen regent, the royal party and all
others present listened to the foregoing
standing. King Alfonso then again seated
himself on the throne and the others also
reseated themselves.
The president of the chamber returned ia
the table and from there, addressing the
king. said:
| THE cortes have received the oath your
majesty has taken to maintain the consti-
| tuition and laws"
AT the same moment the booming ct
twenty-one guns was again heard, announc-
| Ing to the city that the king had taken tn ,
oath.
onrYA rSrD-