The Mena weekly star., 1907-05-16
HE|R ID SPANISH THRONE
Accommodating Stork Brings A Son to King Alfonso and Queen Vic-
 toria at Madrid.
MUCH STATELY CEREMONY AT THE BIRTH
All Officials oi the Court in Full Uni form Gathered at the Royal Pal. ace to Greet the New Born Prince -the American Minister, Present To be Named Alfonso.

Madrid. May 1l.-Queen Victoria gave birth to a son Friday In no monarchial country in the world is the ceremonial observed at the birth of the first offspring of the king and queen so rigidly, stately and formal as in Spain, and on this occasion, so significant for the Bourbon dynasty, when an heir to the throne so anxious ly awaited, nothing was omitted from the courtly etiquette.
 From the moment when Queen Victoria was officially announced to be approaching the period of mater nity the most careful surveillance was exercised over her. ln order that the hopes of the country should not run any risk of being blighted
 Several months before her ac- couchement, according to Spanish royal custom, the queen took up her residence at the palace in Madrid to await the anxious moment Thence, accompanied by the king, she has un- dertaken from time to time pilgrim ages to various holy shrines to pray for a safe deliverance, in the same way as the humblest Spanish wo- man.
 For a month preceding the suspicious event. members of the proud Span ish nobility have been in constant at tendance at the palace as a precau- tion against an unwelcome surprise of a premature birth, whilst the mem bers of the royal family have taken up their residence either in the pal ace itself or near at hand in the capi- tol
 When at length Dr Glendening, the young English doctor, who attended the queen, announced that the birth was matter of only a few hours, urgent messages were dispatched to the prime minister, Senor Maura and his colleagues of the cabinet to the military governor of Madrid, the members of the diplomatic corps, the Grandees, the knights of the princi- pal orders of chivalry. the leading military and civil authorities, and all the ladies and gentlemen attached to the court.
 Soon all the officials were gathered in full uniform and wearing the gilt tering insignia of their decorations, in the grand reception room gorgeous ly draped with tapestry, adjoining the aSSd T2 pFaiShte FaEiiSShhte oeRee nfS9 Ameean minister. MT. Collier. There. in sup pressed excitement and hushed ex- pectancy they waited.
 The birth of the babe occurred at 12:45 D. m. The announcement was immediately conveyed to the waiting officials and crowds outside the pal ace. who received the glad tidings with mingled feelings of enthusiasm and emotion. That the queen had been blessed with son--a male heir to the throne-was no less welcome than the happy event itself.
 The formal announcement of the birth of the infant was made by the Camarara mayor, mistress of the robes. to Premier Maura, who for mally communicated the fact to the distinguished company in the words. "Gentlemen, it is a prince
 The news was greeted with the greatest enthusiasm. which swelled into A snnntaneoue cheer as King AL ionso himself entered, accompanylns the Camarara mayor carrying a huge silver tray upon which was lying tile newly born royal baby, covered with delicate lace garments The lnfanta kulalie was at the kings side as he entered with his new born son.
 The scene was most impressive. Premier Maura at once advanced and &ith some hesitation relieved ,ne mistress of the robes of her precious load, Then bearing the tray, the pre- alier proceeded slowly to the center cf the room where all present crowded ! rounu. anxious to obtain a glimpse os the child, which was presented to one after the other in their order of court precedence. When the curiosity of all those present was satisfied, the bl0e was handed back to the mistress Of tle robes and by the later was lyen to the royal nurse, who imme liattly returned to the side of the queen
 As the nurse appeared in the royal tparuntuts roar of cheering could he heard from the outside of the pal aca. IL the meantime the scenes in the streets outside were almost beyond description Business had been sus. peeded for hours previous to the an. ncurGement of the childs birth An immense multitude gathered in the vicinity of the palace, and when the royal standard, of red and gold, flut- tered up to the peak of the flagstaff on the Punta Dediamente. making knov-r that Prince of the Asturias was horn, great shout of joy went up from the assembled masses. Inn mediately afterward salute of 2l guns carried the news to the most remote confines of the city and the inhabitants of the surrounding coun- sry AS the sixteenth report resound- cd. tl5 guns only wonld have been iiied 10 announce the birth of a girl), tEo men. women and children waiting in the streets and on the balconies anf roofs gave voice to their satisfac ton and soon the whole city was rinSins with cries of "long live the