New-York tribune., 1905-06-06
KING ALFONSO In LONDON.
Rim MFRS RECEPTION.
We1come ! Hearty, Hosuever-Most
Strict Police Precautions.

OF SPAIN was welcomed TO England to-day with tho
most elaborate of ceremonies every ostall OF
which was supervised by King Edward himsslt,
Never in the of the reception of a national
visitor has greater attention been paid to detail
careful preparation been made for a mag
nifcent display. If only the weather had peen
propitious the reception probably would have been
the most brilliant ever accorded foreign visitor
to England. a deluge of rain at Portsmouth and
at London however. marred all the spectacular
effects
The day, which broke dreary in France. increased
in gloom the British royal yacht Victoria and
Albert crossed the Channel from Cherbourg, aop.
companied by strong escort OF British cruisers
and destroyers. Approaching Plymouth harbor, the
royal yacht passed through line after line OF Great
Britains greatest fighting vessels, bedecked with
flags and flying the Spanish ensign. score of the
warships fired the royal salute These war vessels
resembed phantom ships the Victoria and Al
bert, emerging from the haze, passed the salutng
ranks Tho young King, who wore the uniform
of a British general with the ribbon Of the Order
of the Garter, stood deck evidently keenly en-
ioyfng the spectacle in spite Of the pouring rain.
The Prince Of Wales. representing King Edward,
awaited the yacht the pier with guard Of honor
and Immediately after the gangway was run up he
went board and welcomed the Spanish ruler,
while at the time the Princes standard broke
out alongside that of the august visitor Their re-
speotive suites were then introduced and subse-
quently the Mayor and Corporation OF Portsmouth.
presented to his majesty address of welcome, in
responding to which the King said:
vi Il wish to all In this great empire under your
snn5 1,g scepere every prosperity ana as you are
that You also be the first to Convey my gratitude
70 those whom you represent. Assure them that
ways be cheilshed in my my heart. hitaFS
King Alfonso, who is the first King Of Spain to
land In England, disembarked at go p. n. Ac-
oompanted by the Prince OF Wales, his majesty in
spected the guard of honor in a drenchng rain,
ana subsequently took train for London amid
the firing Of another roya, salute.
The most extraordinary police precautions were
taken within the precincts Of the dockyard. Not
one of the general public allowed to enter,
and beyond the officials and a few newspaper cor
respondents. none Of whom were permitted to go
near the King. there spectators OF the
Kings landing.
The special train with the King the Prince Of
Wales and their suites left Portsmouth for Lon
don amid the thunders of fresh salutes and the
cheering Of the crowds while the bands played the
Spanish national anthem The train travelled with
out incident except that it brought to stand
still By an obstruction the line at harrington,
four and half miles from Portsmouth It was at
first thought that this obstruction had been pur-
posey placed, but it developed that piece Of the
harrington station roof had fallen on the track.
THE MEETING OF THE MoNARCHS.
King Edward in the uniform of a Spanish adj
rniral had driven UP to Victoria Station just before
the arrival of King Alfonso. and the train which
conveyed him from Portsmouth drew UP at the
platform King Edward advanced to receive his
young guest. whom he cordially embraced. The
platform presented brilliant scene. being crowded
with Cabinet Ministers. diplomats and officers.
The station gayly decorated. the platform
being blaze of color. From end to end &c was
carpeted with bright crimson baize, and the poles
and girders were hidden in clouds of bunting and
evergreens. Opposite the spot where King Alfonso
descended from the royal train appeared the motto
"Bien Veuidase II Rey de Espaha (''Welcorne to
the King of Spain'D.
After brief conversation. introductions and an
inspection Of the Guard Of Honor which was fur
nished by the Irish Guards the two monarchs n
tered state carriage with the Prince of Wales and
the Duke of Connaught, and amid great cheering
from the big crowds assembled started for Buck
ingham Palace. followed by half dozen coaches
with the officers Of state and suites. Above the
archway through which the two kings passed on
leaving the station was the motto, viva Alfonso
XIII
The streets were lined with troops, and all
through cluband the windows were filled with
througs of women. The Spanish King everywhere
met the heartiest reception. The route from Vic
toria Station to buckingham Palace by way Of
Grosvenor Place, Hyde Park Corner Piccadily. st.
| James's Street, Marlborough Gate and The Mall,
was fanked by arched streame-s. lampposts be-
| decked with yellow and red artificial flowers and
| many elaborately decorated stands. The Spanish
| legation at Grosvenor Gardens was decked with
the Spanish colors, and Immediately opposite was
stand for the Spanish residents Of London. who
gave the King a welcome to lis evident pleasure
The labors of the army of decorators. who
| transformed the London streets into triumphal
| arehway Of varied coored flags. bunting and arti-
fetal flowers In which the yellow and red of Spain
| predominated were rendered almost futile. how
! day long Dripping flags hung limp and the flowers
presented a bedraggied appearance while instead
&c eomed the young King was mackintosh- clad and
| seeking shelter under sea Of umbrellas.
POLICE KEEP BACK CROWDS.
| The crowds were somewhat disappointed. In the
| first place the police precautions so strict
that few persons could get close enough to see the
| royal visitor. Besides. the wet weather made 1t
/ necessary for the two monarchs 10 drive to the
| nalaee In a closed carriage so that only passing
glimpse was obtained of the Spanish Kings boy
| ish face as he leaned toward the WINDOW 10 70
ed Be ts eay fhseTi PLEASED G5 With s
Smiling in natural manner and lifting his cap
ttrot. and although roundabout route was fol-
| lowed the drive occupied only short time.
u Mod diy have b been impossible The route lined
with troops for show PSFRSse Pos bp5 fs Pooe
two deep. and congested points the outer line Of
! infantry had several PAGES bepind the mounted
5BS 5T09ps pgooe anG n 20e clothes men We're
erSwd aong tsnl the line sns eoSe osa o pae
| vent suspicious characters from gaining access to
these places OF vantage. ,a,, oo,-
trast with the unconlfofteble drtEzie outside IN
the grand tse Yaoo h Of The the n
gold and scarlet uniforms mounted guard ana ao
sns shss f9n Pnoe.s Se shS hTiotoa were Waiting 70 se their
welcome to Kpg Alfonso who sfo2Ree nd Sep Rssed
| tss 9saoft, FMS Of hor outstretched fingers,
IL" after a few words of greeting King Alfonso was
iater. escorted by cavalry drove 70 MaEib9@Tepgh @
House pay his respects to the Princess OF wares
Ut Thf f,ohe:s Kng 'eSh Of connsugh and 5o-night ined
quietly with King Edward and the royal family at
| Buckingham Palace
|