New-York tribune., 1905-06-09
ALFONSO IN LONDON.
Stately SpIerador for Spanish Kings
Reception.
London Nav 81

III for q definite purpose. This is political, not
matrimonial. Gossips convinced that the
nuke Of Connaught made a sentimental journey
"a the Spanish capital and subsequently to
pnnne where he was closeted with the Secretary
~ stare at the Vatican, and that the English
rssit Of King Alfonso is the sequel to these Sc
,-,t negotiations Rumors of this kind survive
.eery official contradiction. and while it is GER
,s;n that the young sovereign and Princess Pa
tr;cia have never met. and that alliance be-
tween the two royal families is not favored at
.,ther court. the old Catholic families IN Eng
land are interested IN this romance and are
hoping that more viii be heard about it The
vins's advisers in Madrid have been Influenced
hovever by a different motive In sending him
eh-osd The ruling class In Spain is anxious
N convince Europe that the historic kingdom.
.vsn If it has lost its colonial empire still has
-sserves of power and influence and commands
respect and admiration IN foreign capitals The
interval since the campaign with the United
States has been long enough to offer conclusive
evidence that the kingdom Is better off without
the colonies than it when it was exposed to
-he sxhausting drain of conscript armies en-
nloved in hopeless warfare with Insurgents
There have been financial reforms: taxation is
lighter than il was: the times have improved,
snd spaniards are looking forward with buoyant
confidence 70 happy future. when their coun-
ty viii rank with Austria and Italy in power
and influence. In the judgment of the ruling
class in Madrid the time has come when Europe
should be reminded of the practical results of
work Of national reconstruction undertaken in
practical spirit The King goes abroad to
claim the honors due to his rank and be ran
resents 3 proud nation, which has SURVIVED the
catastrophe Of loss OF empire, found out how
much strength and stability It has retained and
Is bent on making its hopefulness and conf
esnce known and felt in foreign capitals
The young King was the best messenger who
could have been sent abroad with the tidings of
national revival When his boyish figure was
seen IN the Palace Of Congress, where he took
te oarh on coming Of age. he seemed fragile
and delicate; but as soon as he mounted his
horse and was ready to review his troops he
showed that he had a will of his own and knew
how 10 command men. When the military
marttnets undertook to coach him under the eyes
Of the throngs OF spectators in the Paseo del
Prado, he waved them of with a conteuptu-
Gus gesture and faced his troops without an at
tendant- He is nineteen now and has given
many proofs Of his courage. independence and
sef-eonfdence. In socaIistic Barcelona, where
az attack upon him was dreaded by his Minis
tiers, he dismissed his escort, rode fearlessly
that he trusted the working people implicitly
and could not believe that there was an assassin
among them. Impulsive and impetuous, he COM
mands the affections of his subjects by his cour-
age and sympathy; and when he is seen abroad
he is admired for his dignity confident air and
amiability. The young sovereign is a good lin
guist, bold rider, a keen sportsman end fair
soldier. He has been as well trained for the
business OF reigning any sovereign on the
Continent, for he has had q good mother. who
watched every detail Of his education and exer-
esed supreme influence over his life and char
aeter. told in Madrid by an Ambassador
"a pleasant story of his reply when his mother
praised and he was reminded that he ought
10 be grateful for her wise counsel. "I shall try
to be good King he said. with as charming
simplicity Queen Victoria when she used
almost the words in her childhood. So far
he has been tactful sovereign, with cleverness
In the management OF men and the promise Of
inherent force Of character When he is seen
In Paris London few spectators Will think
OK his unique distinction who was born a
King; but his buoyant spirits, his bright face
and his courteous manners VIII create favor
able impression wherever he goes, and there
will be his account and his mothers kinder
feeling for the old Spanish monarchy with its
diminished resources and faded grandeur.
How viii the young King be entertained in
staid, practical England? Not as he himself
amused the special embassies and the populace
OF his pleasure loving capital when he assumed
the responsibilities Of the crown three years ago.
There will be no services in crurnbling cathe-
drals no professions of chariots, no riotous bat
ties Of flowers. no spectacular bullfghts afame
with local color. He will have one of those
stately weeks of well ordered functions which
the Lord Chamberlain plans in strict accordance
with precedent and every court functionary car
RES out with precision. The royal yacht will be
sent to Cherbourg with 6 pair of escorting war
ships and when the King and his suite have
embarked the course will be steered for Ports
mouth. where salutes will be firfd from the bat
s1eries. The Prince of Wales viii be shore to
meet him and the Mayor of Portsmouth wei
come him with an address; and when Victoria
Station is reached the Spanish national anthem
viii be played and under a cavalry escort he
viii drive with King Edward to Buckingham
Palace where he viii dine with the royal family
On the second day he will receive the diplomatic
corps at the palace, visit the new Roman
Catholic Cathedral in Ashley Gardens take
luncheon with the Duke OF Connaught at Clar-
snce House and attend reception at the Span
ish Embassy and a splendid banquet at the
palace. On the third day he will receive the
freedom Of the city at the Guidhal and take
luncheon at the Mansion House, driving each
way through streets lined with troops: and at
night there viii be a banquet at Lansdowne
House. On the fourth day he viii witness
military review at Aldershot, and in the evening
VII attend 2 gala performance at the opera
On the fifth day he will accompany King Ed
ward to windsor and after dining at MARI
borough House he viii attend the state ball at
Buckingham Palace-the crowning function OF
tiE years season The weeks festivities will
oe brought TO a close when leayetakngs are
sxehanged at the station and the royal train is