The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-06-06
SPANISH KING |S GUEST OF ENGLAND Elaborate Welcome is Rendered
 Alfonso XIII DAY WAS WET AND GLOOMY Royal Visitor Is Received at the Pal ace and Makes Formal Calls on
 Members of English
 Royal Family.
DAY WAS WET AND GLOOMY

London, June 5-Alfonso XIII, the young King of spain was welcomed to England today with the most elaborate of ceremonies. every detail of which was ssupervised by King Edward himself
 Never in the history of a reception to a national visitor has greater attention been paid to detail, or more careful preparation made for magnificent display. If only the weather had been propitious the re- ception probably would have been the most brilliant ever accorded a foreign vis- itor to England. deluge of rain at Portsmouth and at Lonoon. however. marred all the spectacular effects.
 Day Was Gloomy.
 The day, which broke drearily in France, increased in gloom as the British royal yacht, Victoria and Albert. crossed the channel from Cherbourg, accompanied by strong escort of British cruisers and torpedo boat destroyers. Approaching the mouth of the harbor. the royal yacht passed through line after line of gun boats and great fighting vessels. bedeclSed with flags and flying the spanish en- sign. and q score of which fired the royal salute. These war vessels resem- bled phantom ships as the Victoria and Albert, emerging from the haze, passed the saluting ranks The young King, who wore the uniform of a British general with the ribbon of the order of the Car ter, stood on deck. evidently keenly en- toying the spectacle in spite of the pour ing rain.
 Edward, awaited the yacht on the dock with q guard of honor. and immediately after the gangway was run up, went on board and welcomed the Spanish ruler while at the same time the prince's standard broke out alongside that of tho august visitor Their respective suites were then introduced and subsequently, the mayor and corporation of Portsmouth presented his majesty with an address of welcome, responding to which the King sald
 King Alfonso Makes Speech.
 T wish to all In this great empire under your kings sceptre every prosperity, and as you are among the first to welcome my arrival, l request that you also be the first to convey my gratitude to those whom you represent. Assure them that the rememberances of these happy mo- inents will always be cherished in my heart
 The special train with the King. the Prince of Wales and their suites left l'"1tfnouth for London amid thunders of sartcs and the cheering of the crowds while the bands played the Spanish na- tirnal anthem. The train travelled with cut i.citent except that 1t was brought ta 4t"i still by an obstruction on the Inc tt Burlington. four and one-half milcs from Portsmouth At first it was .h'tthi this obstruction had been pur- pnseiy placed there. but 1t was subse- GLe1.tiy learned that piece of the roof of the Fsrlington depot had been blown cff
 Brilliant Scene in Palace.
 The inside of the palace in London affrrded splendid contrast to the un- cor 'ofiahle conditions outside. In the grand entrance hall the Kings gentle mem, earns and the yoemen of the gnafd resplendent in gold and scarlet uniforms. II ounted guard and at the top of the great staircase queen Alexandra and Princess Victoria were waiting to give their welcome to King Alfonso who stop ped a step just below where the queen was standing and kissed the tips of her outstretched fingers.
 After a few words of greeting King Alfonso was conducted to the state apart ments and a little later, escorted by cav airy drove to Marlborough House to pay his respects to the Princess of Wales T he King then made formal calls on the Duke and Duchess of Connaught and to- night dined quietly with King Edward and the royal family at Buckingham ralace.