Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-05-30
GREETED BY ALFONSO
Spanish King Received Ameri-
can Envoy
AT MADRID PALACE TODAY
Surrounded by an Impressive Court
Ceremony.
A LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT
Felicitous Speech of Mr. whitridge in
Behalf of People of the
United States.
1T MADRID PALACE TODAY
LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT

MADRID, May Boxing Alfonso re-
eeived the special American embassy
ut the royal palace at 1890 this
morning, when the autograph letter of
president Roosevelt was presented TO him
Inc audience took place In the hall Of the
ambassadors and was surrounded by all
the impressive fornaIity of court cere-
mony.
Frederick waIlingford Whitridge. wear
ing American evening dress was
accompanied by Lieut. U. s. Grant.
Q. s. N, and Lieut. Leigh c. Palmer
u s. NJ In full uniform, and Minister Collier
and the staff Of the special American en-
bassy and legation. The palace guard rem
aereo honors as the Americans drove into
tne caVernous palace courtyard and as
other embassies arrived at the same time
the ambassadors and their suites made a
brilliant picture.
The Duke of Almodovar. the foreign
minister and the Duke of Sotomayor the
grand chamberlain. received the Americans
ana conducted them through the palatia1
corridors lined by royal guests and Hal
oerulers , 70 an ante7room adjoining the hall
OF the ambassadors, where the successive
embassies were received by the court ON
Gals.
Then the Americans were introduced into
the magnlficent royal salon. where the king
was seated on the throne under a canony
OF red velvet, hanked by the famous golden
lions. His majesty, when the Americans
appeared, advanced from the throne and
stooo S,o. nidWay In the apartment. He wore
piue military uniform, red breeches and
high boots, and held his military hat In
his left hand.
Greeted Most Graciously.
He greeted the special American e,vov
most graciously and speaking In perfect
English thanked the United States for hav-
Ing sent special mission such a distance
Mr. Whitridge handed the king a sealed
letter from President Roosevelt. at the same
time addressing to him the following mes
sage OF 1ehcitation in behalf of the Aneri-
can people:
Sire: The President has charged ma q,
uehFeIihs thlS letter to give your ma festv
.he assurance of his highest regard and
| through MIN that of the American peonIa
not only for yourself, but for your great
country, which is the fatherIand of t1,e
larger part of the new world
I esteem myself most happy tn he tho
pedrer Oh t7e nations good will especially
on the suspicious occasion of your mar
r1age with the charming volIny nrtrnass
from the motherland of my own country
All mankind, we say, sire loves a lover
out In all the world there are no NOR
sympathetic and sincere well-wishers for
long years of happiness and good fortnna
Tor yourself and the princess than amonc
the American people, and standing in tbIs
ancient kingdom before the successor of
ferdinand and Isabella, I am bound to
say youthful American people, whom I
have the honor to represent
Tne king broke the seal of President
Roosevelts letter. read 1t attentiveIy and
tneh, III a most gracious manner, convey ed
his thanks to the President in behalf of
himself and the Spanish nation.
The audience terminated with the Ameri-
cans withdrawing
Mr.. Whltridge was impressed bv tha
kings unaffected cordlality and frankness
His majesty appeared to the envoy to be
much taller than generally supposed, and
peter looking than his photographs repre-
sent him to be.