Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1907-05-10
TOday's Telegraphic News
Birth of Heir to Spanish Throne.

VI " OponiSu
Madrid, May 10.-The royal flag of
Spain floats over the royal palace
today and every true Spaniard who has
gszed on that symbol Of power has emit
ted hearty cheer. For that flag, flying
from the Punta Del. Diamiante, is the
signal to the nation that q Prince of
Asturias and heir to the Spanish throne
has been born. Madrid is wild with
joy.
By royal decree, in accordance with
custom, King Alfonso had ordered the
presence of the ministers, chief officers
of the palace, commanders Of the army
and navy, csptsin-generaI, governor and
Mayor of Madrid various commissions
representing the legislative bodies. no.
bility and honorary orders, to attend the
presentation. Ambassadors of the va
rious nations were likewise invited to at
tend. When the long-lookedfor event
was announced all the dignatsries of the
church and state dressed in full robes
were at once ushered to the queens
apartment. 10 an ante-room adjoining
the queens bedroom they awaited the
announcement that an heir to the throne
had been born. AS soon as the royal
child could be dressed, ii was placed in
little basket upon golden salyer.
Bearing his precious burden King Al
fonso approached the prime minister to
whom the child was presented. Official
announcement of the infants sex was
made by this official. 10 the presence of
The dign4tries, churchmen and the at
tending ambassadors Alphonso after
ward publicly proclaimed his successor
and announced that his title would be
Prince Of Asturias.
The royal infant was born shortly be-
fore one o'clock, and inside of five min
nies all Madrid knew of the arrival of a
future king. The news was flashed i'm
mediateIy all over Spain and the an
nouucement was received with the great
est rejoicing. As the royal flag was
sent flying to the top of the palace, the
guns in the fortress began to boom a
salute to the new monarch. Every
psruon in Madrid stopped work rs the
first cannon doomed out. With breath
less interest the populace counted the
deep reports. On them depended the
answer to the question which has been
agitating all Spain for weeks-is it boy
or girl? Even the cheers which re-
sounded through the streets in echo OF
the cannoBs booming died out as the
guns counted l3, IA, Is. There was
moment of suspense-:hen with the six
tenth round there vas mighty shout
that drowned out every other sound.
Through all the street it was echoed.
1t was a boy. Again and again the
cannon doomed until the twenty-one
rounds had been fred, but the balance
of the salute was lost.
Had the royal child been an infanta,
only fifteen guns would have announced
the event. But for prince the custom
airy salute of twenty.one guns was fired.
Many business houses closed their doors
and the employees were turned out to
join the joy-rioting crowds in the streets.
Great streams Of bunting broke out
on the fronts of business buildings. Half
an hour after the first gun was fired all
Madrid was zen fiesta. Similar scenes
we're enacted in all the cities and towns
of Spain. Only this morning the an
nouncement had gone forth over the
country that it would probably be two
weeks before the royal infant could be
expected. The unexpected birth of the
Prince OF Asturiss therefore was all the
more welcome.
The royal baby has been named AL
phonso and will be 80 christened.