The Pensacola journal., 1907-05-11
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Madrid, Spain. May 10.-The birth
OF the royal babe has been awaited
with eager interest throughout Spain
y The news from the palace early
this morning that the accouchement
: OF the queen was imminent spread
like wildfire, and crowds flocked TO
the great plaza fronting the royal
palace. The happy event had taken
the capital somewhat by surprise, for
only yesterday afternoon the queen
had taken her customary drive. and
the court physicians had intimated
that another two weeks would pass
before confinement.
II was learned from the palace au-
thcrities that the queen had been
taken with the first pains of child
birth during the night. Messengers
\ We're hastily dispatched TO the prime
minister and other chef court digni-
taries. as the advent of an heir to
the throne of Spain is an event of
the deepest political significance.
Through the early mtrn1ng, minis
tiers and big functionaries arrived in
the court of the palace. Meantime
word reached the waiting throngs that
the queen was progressing well. The
doctors pronounced her condition nor
NAL and satisfactory. King Alfonso
remained at the queens bedside.
At s O'Clock this morning the king
cancelled the meeting of the council
OF affairs, which was to have con-
sidered current state affairs. BY 8
O'Clock che high functionaries of state
and capital. with many ambassadors
and ministers in their court costume
had reached the palace. At noon the
assemblage of nobility and power of
Spain was grouped in The royal apart
ments set aside for official ceremon-
les. awaiting with feelings of pro
found emotion the announcement of
the birth Of the heir The birth of
the baby occurred at 12:45 p. m.
People Receive News.
The announcement was immediate
ly conveyed to the officials and crowds
outside the palace who received the
glad tidings with mingled feelings of
enthusiasm and emotion. That the
queen had been blessed with a son
a male heir to the throne-was no
less welcome than the happy event
itself
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
as formal as in Spain, and on this
occasion, so significant for the Bour-
bon dynasty with an heir TO the
throne. so anXiously awaited, nothing
was omitted from the courtly eti-
quette.
All Precautions Taken.
From the moment when Queen Vic
toria was officially announced to be
approaching the period OF maternity.
the most careful surveillance was eX-
ereised over her. in order that the
hopes of the country should not run
any risk of being blighted
Several months before her accouche-
ment. according to the Spanish royal
custom, the queen took up her resi-
denee at the palace in Madrid TO
await the anxious moment. Thence,
accompanied by the king. she has I'M
derta1en, from time to time, pilgrim
ages TO various holy shrines 10 pray
for a safe deliverance. in the same
way as the humblest Spanish woman.
For quite month preceding the
auspicious event, members of the
proud Spanish nobility have been in
constant attendance at the palace as
a precaution against the unwelcOme
surprise OF premature birth, whilst
the members OF the royal family have
taken up their residence either in the
palace itself or near at hand in the
capital.
When at length DR.. Glendening, the
young English doctor who attended
the queen, announced that the birth
was a matter of only a few hours
urgent messages " ere dispatched 10
the prime minister. SenoT Maura, and
, his colleagues of the cabinet, the mil
ttary governor of Madrid, the mem
bers of the diplomatic corps, the
grandees, the knights of the princi-
pal orders of chivalry, the leading
Continued on Second Paae.)