The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1905-06-06
KING OF SPAIN
BRIT AIMS GUEST.
Young Ruler Given Cordial
Reception Upon Entrance
Into the English Capital
RAIN SPOILS PAGEANT
Strict Police Regulations
Enforced Along the Line
of Drive to the Palace

LONBONs June 5.-AlfonSo XIII, the
young King Of Spain, was welcomed to
England to-day with the most elaborate
OF ceremonies, every detail Of which was
supervised by King Edward himself. New
er IN the case of a reception for a royal
visitor has greater attention been paid to
detail or more careful preparation been
made for magnificent display. If the
weather had been propitious the recep-
ton would have been the most brilliant
ever accorded a foreign visitor TO Eng
land. A deluge Of rain at Portsmouth
and at London. however, married all the
spectacular effects.
The day, which broke drearily in
France. increased in gloom as the British
royal yacht Victoria and Albert crossed
the channel from Cherbourg. accompa-
MED by a strong escort of British eruis-
ers and torpedo-boat destroyers. APP
preaching the mouth OF the harbor the
royal yacht passed through line after
line of fighting vessels bedecked with
flags and flying the Spanish ensign. A
score of the vessels fired the royal sa-
lutte.
The young King, who wore the uniform
Of q British general, with the ribbon of
the order of the Garter, stood on deck,
evidently keenly enjoying the spectacle in
spite of the pouring rain
MET BY PRINCE OF WALES.
The Prince of Wales, representing King
Edward. awaited the yacht on the dock
with a guard of honor. and Immediately
after the gangway was placed he went on
board and welcomed the Spanish ruler.
Their representative suites were then in
troduced, and subsequently the Mayor
and corporation of Portsmouth presented
TO his Majesty an address of welcome, in
responding to which the King said:
f-h 20 oil ~, I'M
der your Kings scepter every prosperity.
and as you are among the first to well
come my arrival. request that you alone
be the first TO convey my gratitude to
those whom you represent. Assure them
that the remembrance of these happy
moments Will always be cherished in my
heart"
The special train with the King. the
Prince OF Wales and their suites left
Portsmouth for London amid the thun-
ders Of salutes and the cheering of
crowds, while the band played the Span
ish national anthem.
The train was brought to a standstill by
an obstruction on the line at Darlington,
four and a half miles from Portsmouth.
It was at first thought that this obstruc-
ton had been purposely placed there, but
it developed that piece of the roof Of
the Darlington station had fallen on the
track.
GREETED BY EDWARD.
Alfonso arrived in London this even
ing. He was welcomed at the railroad
station by King Edward. Their Males
ties then drove to Buckingham Palace.
No untoward incident marked the event.
The inside Of the palace afforded a
splendid contrast to the uncomfortable
conditions outside. In the grand entrance
hall stood the Kings gentlemen-at-arms
and the yeomen of the guards. dressed
in gold and scarlet, and at the top of
the great staircase Queen Alexandra and
Princess Victoria were waiting to give
their welcome to King Alfonso, who
stopped a step just below where the
Queen was standing and kissed the tips
Of her outstretched fingers.
After a few words of greeting King
was conducted to the state
apartments, and a little later escorted
by cavalry, drove to Marlborough House
TO pay his respects TO the Princess of
Wales.
The 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 Pal
ace. His call on the Duke and Duchess
Of Connaught is considered significant in
view of the fact that his engagement to
their daughter, Princess Victoria. has
been reported.
POLICE LINE STREETS.
Alfonso is the first King of Spain to
visit in England The police precautions
were so strict that few persons could
get close enough to see the royal visitor.
Besides, the wet weather made it neces-
sary for the two monarchs to drive to
the palace in a closed carriage, so that
only passing glimpse was obtained of
the Spanish Kings boyish face as he
leaned toward the window to acknowI-
edge the cheers of the people He APP
peared greatly pleased with his reception.
in natural manner and lifting
his cap continuously. The carriage was
driven at a lively trot, and, although a
route was followed, the drive
occupied but a short time.
Had any one desired to injure the Span
sh ruler it would have been impossible
The route was lined with troops for show
purposes, but the soldiers were backed
BY a force of police two deep. Police
and plain clothes men were scattered
through the crowd along the line. Close
inquiries were made at the hotels, clubs
and grandstands TO prevent suspicious
characters from gaining access to these
places Of vantage.