The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-05-11

direct male succession to the throne Of
 Spain had been assured by the birth
 today of son to Queen Victoria sent a
 thrill of rejoicing throughout the coun- fi try and tonight the happy event is being ] celebrated from one end of the land to another
 doing well.
 The hurried departure of royal mes
 sengers from the place at 10 o'clock this
 morning to summon the courtiers and the
 members of the diplomtic corps gave the first indication that the birth was immi- nent. The usual gathering outside the
 palace courtyards was soon swelled by
 immense throngs of the excited populace,
 who watched the continual stream of bril-
 liantly uniformed personages driving up q to the royal residence and tried to identify & the individuals.
 The crowd awaited in suspense until nearly 1 o'clock, when the thunder of
 cannon shots signified that the royal ac-
 couchement was over. The reports were
 counted anxiously until the fifteenth, and
 then complete silence ensued. The sec onds appeared as hours until the shot boomed forth and the continuation until twenty-one had been fired informed the public that the royal child was son.
 The sixteenth report brought forth ring ing cheer and at the same time the royal f standard was hoisted over the palace and 4 1t was known that no mistake had been made The people danced with joy anu embraced each other, shouting Long live the King Long live the Queen"
 
 Carrying News Through City.
 They then rushed from the palace, k carrying the news to the furthermost
 parts of the city.
 Soon after the royal salute the flags T | of Spain and Great Britain were raised over all the public buildings of Madrid. f. Many bu ~ess houses closed for the ls mainder of thS day as sign of rejoicing. E In the meanwhile the solemn ceremony / kpf presentation was being carried out in- side the palace. The mistress of the robes, carrying huge silver tray upon (which was lying the newly Torn royal Ibaby accompanied by King Alfonso and IPremier Maura, appeared in the ante chamber where the courtiers had assem- aled. The young monarch appeared fuli ltf joy as the premier, raising the drapery olhch covered the infant, said Gentle Pfhan, 1t is a prince!" The solemn digni- FtdrieS tnereupOn IOrSOt all etiquette ana keized both the King and Queen heartily. 1he minister of justice, Marquis Fig eteroa, made out the birth certificate,
 flhich was signed by all the prominent 4 m3rsons present. The gathering then Yoke up
 King Alfonso telegraphed the news to ] the Pope, King Edward and the heads of other states, and later the congratula- tions began to come in.
 I L. nNf The accouchement was in every respect normal and the Queen Is making very sat- isfactory progress toward recovery Her majesty proposes herself to nourish the
 infant, who shows signs of the utmost vi-
 tality. He has a strong voice, blue eyes and fair complexion like his mothers. E The Queen was the first to kiss the baby, and she was followed by the two
 grandmothers, Princess Beatrice of Bat 7 tenburg and Maria Christina, the Dowager l Queen of Spain.
 V Decrees were issued tonight ordering a
 national holiday throughout Spain for
 Saturday Sunday and Monday.
 The cabinet met this afternoon and later
 presented Alfonso for his signature, de- 4 crees transferring the title of heir pre- 4 sumptive from Prince Charles of Bour- J bon to the new born prince.
 It has been decided that the baptism
 shall occur on Tuesday at noon- In court
 circles 1t is desired the name of the baby
 be Carlos but the matter of his appella- tion has not yet been definitely decided. King Alfonso today in honor of the ! event, decreed the pardon of thousands ' of prisoners, including eight prisoners
 who were condemned to suffer the death
 penalty. The press of Spain, without res
 ervaton, rejoice in the birth of the prince.