The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1905-06-09
ALFONSO IS EDWARDS GUEST.
First King Of Spain Who Has Ever
Landed on Soil Of England.


London. June 7.--Alfcnso KILL, the
young king of Spain, was welcomed to
England yesterday with the most elab-
crate Of ceremonies, every detail OF
which was supervised by King Ed
ward himself Alfonso is the first
king of Spain who has ever landed in
England. Never in the case of re-
ception of a national visitor has great
er 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 foreign
visitor to England. A deluge of rain
at Port ,mouth and at London, how
ever. marred all the spectacular ef-
fects.
The day, which broke drearily in
France, increased in gloom as the
British royal yacht Victoria and Al
bert crossed the channel from Cher
bourg accompanied
BY Strong Escort
of British cruisers and torpedo boat
destroyers Approaching the mouth
of the harbor toe royal yacht passed
through line after line OF sunboats
and great fighting vessels bedecked
with flags and flying the Spanish
ensign and a score of which fired the
royal salute.
The Prince of Wales, representing
King Edward, Immediately after the
gangway was run up, went on boafu
and welcomed the Spanish ruler.
The special tain with the king, the
prince of Wales and their suites left
Portsmouth for London amid the
thunders of salutes and the cheering
of the crowds, while the bands played
the Spanish national anthem.
King Edward. in the uniform OF a
Spanish admiral. had driven up TO
Victoria station just before the ar
rivel of King Alfonso, and as the train
: which conveyed him from Portsmouth
drew up at the platform
King Edward Advanced
to receive his young guest whom he
cordially embraced. After brief con
yersatiun the two monarchs entered a
state carriage with the prince OF
Wales and the Duke of COnnaught, and
amidst great cheering by big crowds
assembled, started to Buckingham
palace.
! Had ano,nor one desired to injUre
the Spanish ruler it would have been
! impossible. The route was lined Win
! troops for show purposes. but the sol
diers were backed by force OF the
metropolitan police two deep, and at
congo sted points the outer line Of IN
fantry lad several PAGES behind the
mounted troops, mounted police and
| foot police four deep, and police and
| plain clothes men were scattered
through the crowd along the line.
Close inuuireS were made at the ho-
tells, clubs and grand stands to pre-
vent suspicious characters nom gain
ing access TO these places OF vantage.
Inside the palace afforded splen-
! did contrast to the uncomfortable
/ condition outside. In the grand en-
, trance hall the kings gentlemen-in-
arms and the yeomen OF the guard,
| reSplendent in gold ana scarlet uni
: forms. mounted guard, and at the top
: of the great staircase Queen Alex
andra and Princess Victoria were
/ waiting
| To Give Their Welcome
! to King Alfor so. who stopped step
! lust below where the queen was
standing and kissed the tips of her
! Outstretched fingers.
After q few words of greeting King
/ Alfonso was conducted to the state
apartments, and little later. escort
ed 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 last night dined quietly with King
Edward and the royal family at Buck
| ingham palace.