New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-05-28
PARDONED BY PRINCESS
king alfonso Grants Petition for
Condemned Criminal.

Madrid. May E.-The first notable act OF Princess
Ena of Battenberg since her arrival IN Spain to
become the bride OF King Alfonso XIII has been
70 induce the King to pardon Fernando Leve-a,
who was condemned 10 death after an exciting
trial The dramatic circumstances under which the
pardon was given. the condemned man was
going TO the gallows attracted widespread atren-
ton and added 10 the popularity of Princess Ena
Levera was to have been executed in the neigh
boring town OF Badajoz. but the population begged
Princess Ena's lntercesson. and she spoke to the
King, who consulted with the ministers and. after
a Cabinet council. the government resolved 10
grant the request Il the first petition the
princess had made in Spain. Thereupon the King
issued pardon. and a telegram announcing this
fact reached the prison Badaioz half hour
before the time set for the execution The march
TO the scaffod about begin when messen-
ger brought word of the pardon
There were remarkable scenes of rejoicing The
townspeople formed a procession and sang the
praise If their future Queen. The people of Madrid
also highly approve the prinCesss humane inter
Venton and the newspapers comment upon the
coming Queens first act being one of mercy
me PardO Palace was again the scene OF royal
ceremonies to-day. the weather permitting open air
religious services on a lawn of the palace. where
the military Bishop celebrated 4 campaign mass.
Il was pretty sight the brilliant uniforms Of the
soldiers forming a background for the royal per
sonases. Princess Enas interest in the Spanish
uniforms led King Alfonso to summon six soldiers.
representing the various OF the service for
the princesss inspection of their arms and
coutrement5 This was a source of special salts
faction 10 the influential army element.
Later in the day King Alfonso and Princess Ena
went in automobile TO the picturesque forests
of Pardo
On one OF Princess Ena's visits Madrid she
visited the nuptial apartments which have been
prepared in the royal palace and tried on the we'd
ding gown made here
The suite OF apartments designed for the future
Queen have been adorned with the richest art
treasures from the galleries of Spain The palace
itself is of the largest and most sumptuous of
Europe 1t is built the former site of the Acazar
of the ancient kings, from plans by the italian
artist Giovanni Bettirta Sacchetti The first stone
was laid in IZ3S and twenty-sx years afterward
began the decoration of the interior. The expendi
tuIe amounted to @0,coG0 reales Immense sub
structures give the palace dominating position on
the Mauzanares River. 1t covers 200 square
frames Of the doors and windows. which are or
be O; the finest the worlc, has been decorated
for the wedding. 1t is Illuminated day and night
by hundreds Of electric lights concealed within the
rich gold cornices Halberders in brilliant uniforms
piiars 10 the bal1strsde there are TWO large lions
OF stone, the work of Castro and Michel, the
these lions when he visited the palace renaring
to his brother that they were better housed than
The Hall Of the Ambassadors where the recep-
fines. apartmee - a the paace TIE oori1e is nT
different marbles which form designs in the italian
- 4c- Ho Nd4-S are NUM- Win crimson NelNet
The throne il under red canopy. above steps
earpetec in the same color AT either side stand
four gilt lions, represented controlling the worf
The ceiling is covered with a fresco by Tiepoio
The Glory of the Spanish Monarchy
Many of the rooms are decorated with rich en-
broidered cloths and the furniture and ceilings
bear paintings by Velasquez. Vicente Lopez and
Ribera. Princess Ena is said to take special in
terest in the China Hail. the ceiling and walls OF
which are covered with porcelain. the Jennings
being cleverly concealed by figures in relief The
dining hall is decorated with tapestry woven in
gold and silk
Besides the foregoing main apartments there are
many others of great richness Some of them
tam collections of old clocks others, including the
chapel. contain relics of the Christian era. The
library contains 100000 volumes and 100000 manu-
scripts
The wedding gown of Princess Ena is a Spanish
product IN fabric and finish. except for the
deFfuI Brussels lace which has been brought
adorn II 1t was fancy of the King and thu
Queen Mother that the wedding dress should be
made in Spain. and the princess agreed with this
patriotic sentiment The dress is therefore one of
the special presents from the King. The silk
manufactured from special pattern. 1t made
up by the court dressmakers The silk is heavily
overlaid with wonderful silver embroidery. with
frills OF the finest Brussels lace said have
$50 a yard. Orange blossoms are profusey used
with the silver embroideries and laces for the
sage, and In dainty clusters along the train.
traditions the bride afterward present this
wedding gown TO the Nirg1a de la Palona.
The Cabinet Ministers have had their share in the
prevailing enthusiasm over the Kings h&nces
Premier MOret expressed the official view while
drinking toast 10 the princess Addressing King
Alfonso. the Premier said. Sire. you have brought
a treasure. May IT please God TO make
-Nrfh flrr ~