New-York tribune., 1906-05-31
ALL SPAIN REJOICING.
ROYAL WEDDING TODAY.
Marriage Contract Signed Recep-
tion of american Embassy.


Madrid. May 30-Au Spain is rejoicing on the
eve Of the wedding Of King Alfonso and Princess
Victoria, and the capital has not seen such
scenes Of tumultous hilarity in the present gen
Grafton The whole city is aglow with fireworks
a1e electrical iIluminations tonight while the
streets are packed with people. All the central
points. from the Puerta del Sol TO the Prado. are
crowded with swarthy Moors wrapped in flowing
robes and with red turbans on their heads. AS
turian dancers performing their native jota-
ezTsies from Cordova and Seville. Salamancan
herders in red velvet and gold tinsel, with many
representatives of Spain's clergy and hordes of
blind beggars singing the melancholy music of
old Spain. At the corners bands play for street
dancers The municipality has given free rein
10 The popular rejoicings. The schools and public
Institutions have been closed, and the whole
population has given itself up to celebrating
the Kings marriage.
The chief happenings of to-day were the Kings
reception 10 the foreign ENJOYS and the signing
of the wedding contract The latter ceremony
took place at the Pardo palace in the presence
Of Premier Moret and the other Cabinet Minis
ters with the solemnity beftting a great state
ceremonial affecting the future succession to the
throne. The witnesses for Princess Victoria
were Sir Maurice Bunsen, the British Ambas-
sador at Madrid; Polo Bernabe, the Spanish
ambassador at London who the Spanish
Minister to Washington when the war between
Spain and the United States broke out; Lord
Hugh Cecil, the Marquis de Viana. an intimate
friend Of King Alfonso, and the Marquis de
Villalobar. The witnesses for the King were
Premier Moret. Sefor Maura. former President
Of the Council; General Azcarraga, former Pre-
rnier; General MOntero Rios former Premier: the
Duke Of sotomayor, Chief of the Royal Palace;
the Marquis de Ia Nina, Chief of the Royal
Hunt; General Pacheco, Chief Of the Royal Hal
berdiers, and the Marquis de Borja, intendant
general these representing the statesmen. the
royal household the army and the nobility.
The marriage contract appears tonight in the
Official Gazette" Article gives the bride an
annual income Of $4,000 and in case OF the
Kings death $4,000. In Article 3 Princess
Victoria renounces all right Of succession to tho
British throne The other articles relate to the
marriage.
Many receptions were held tonight, among
them those at the British Embassy TO the Prince
Of Wales at the Italian Embassy to the Duke
Of Genoa, at the German Embassy TO Prince
Abrecht Of Prussia, at the French Embassy to
General Dahlslein, and at the American Lega-
ton 10 F. ". Whitridge, the American special
envoy. This last reception was attended by
many persons prominent in diplomatic and
court circles.
King Alfonso received the special American
embassy at the Royal Palace at 1870 this
morning. when the autograph letter Of President
Roosevelt VAS presented 10 his majesty. The
audience was held in the Hall Of the Ambassa-
ools. Mr. Whitridge. wearing American even
ing dress. was accompanied by Lieutenant l. S.
Grant. [. :. A and Lieutenant Leigh c. Palmer,
l. :. y in iul uniform, and Minister Collier
ana the STATS Of the American Embassy and
Legation. The palace guard rendered honors
Is the Americans drove into the palace court
yard The Duke of Almodoyar, the Foreign
Minister and the Duke Of Sotoinayor the Grand
chamberlain, received the Americans and con-
Quoted them through the corridors, lined by
royal guards and halDerdiers. TO an anteroom ad-
joining the Han OF the Ambassadors, where the
successive embassies were received by the court
"icisls. Then the Americans were introduced
mo the hall where the King was seated on tho
'iEone under canopy Of red velvet, nanked by
me golden lions. His majesty, when the Ameri-
~@ns appeared. advanced from the throne and
'U'a midway in the apartment. He wore a
military uniform, red breeches and nigh boots.
@'a held his hat III his left hand His majesty
greeted the special American envoy most gra-
1O1s4y, ana, speaking in perfect English,
N-ahAed the United States for having sent a
special mission such a distance. Mr.. Whtridge
lNaded TO the King d sealed letter from Presi-
e7a Roosevelt, at the same time addressing TO
- nsJesty the following message of congratu-
Si'n on behalf OF the American people:
,sTe: The President has charged me in de-
sefing this letter 10 give your majesty the as
tfshce Of his highest regard, and through him
80 - OF the American people, not only for your
- bui for your great country. which Is the
11auerland Of the larger part Of the New World.
- esteem myself most happy 10 be the bearer OF
- I.e nations good win, especially on the auspi-
tous occasion Of your marriage with the charm
--s young princess from the motberland OF my
O~h country. All mankind. we say. sire loves
: loFer but in all the world there are no more
rgHpathetic and sincere well-wishers for long
years Of happiness and good fortune for yourself
s1o the princess than among the American peo-
ste and, standing in this ancient Kingdom before
he successor Of Ferdinand and Isabella, am
pound 70 say youthful American people. whom
'aFe the honor TO represent
The King broke the seal Of President Roose-
Fets letter read il carefully, and then. In
mos gracious manner conveyed his thanks TO
ihe President in behalf Of himself and the Span
ish nation