The daily morning journal and courier., 1907-05-11
HEIR ID TIE SPANISH THRONE NOW 4 REALITY Whole Nation Rejoices Over Birth of Son to Queen
 Victoria. TIE DEUM IS GRANTED. Advent of Prince an Event of Deepest Political
 Importance.
TIE DEUM IS GRANTED.

stullui -hdS 4V'7 -NtuSSL V F4SlOlld SeNC birth to-day to a son, who becomes heir to the throne of Spain. He will be christened Alphonse. The birth of the royal babe had been awaited with eager interest throughout Spain, and this was intensified early this morning when the first word came from the pal ace that the accouchement of the queen was imminent. The news spread like wild-fre, and the crowds Hooked to the great plaza fronting the royal palace. The happy event had taken the capital somewhat by surprise, for only yester- day afternoon the queen had taken her customary drive.
 The child is described as being TO- bust blond and as having his mother s complexion. Almost immediately after the birth had been announced Te Deum was chanted in the chapel of the l palace, where the holy sacrament had remained exposed throughout the ac- ccuchement of the queen. In accord arce with tradition, shortly after the birth of the heir to the throne the king | will confer various decorations on the glandees of Spain and the commander of the palace guard who were on duty at the time of the birth The halber- dier who was on guard at the door of the queens bedchamber when the child was born will also be decorated and in addition will receive the piece of gold known as the Onza, which will also be presented to all the other halberdiers on duty at the palace,
 Messengers were hastily dispatched during the night to the prime minister and the other chief court dignitaries as the advent of an heir to the throne of Spain is an event of the deepest po- litical significance. Through the early morning ministers and high function aries arrived at 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 re- mained at the queens bedside.
 At o'clock the king cancelled the meeting of the council of ministers which was to have considered current state affairs. By 10 o'clock the high functionaries of the state and capital with many ambassadors and ministers lin their court costumes, had reached the palace At noon this assemblage of the nobility and power of Spain was | grouped in the royal apartments sci aside for official ceremonies.
 l TNl,a bir+t, 1oa,,rrad at 1D.As ~, i. salute of twenty-one guns was fired and the announcement was immediate. ly conveyed to the waiting officials ant crowds outside the palace, who reeeiv. ed the glad tidings with enthusiasm and emotion.
 The formal announcement of the se2 of the royal infant was made by tn; camarara mayor, or mistress of the robes, to Premier Maura, who formally communicated the fact to the distin, 1 guished company, saying "Gentlemen it is a prince"
 The news was greeted with tht greatest enthusiasm, which swelled in to cheer as King Alfonso and tn, Infanta Eulalie entered, accompanyins lthe camarara mayor carrying huge silver tray upon which was lying tn, newly born royal baby, covered witt delicate lace garments. The scene wa most impressive, Premier Maura a once advanced and with some hesita ton relieved the mistress of the robe of her precious burden. Then, bearins the tray, the premier proceeded slowl, to the center of the room, where al present crowded around, anxious to ob tain a glimpse of the child, which wa presented to one after another in thei order of court precedence. When tn curiosity of all those present was sat isfied the babe was handed back to tn mistress of the robes and by the latte was given to the royal nurse, who i'm mediately returned to the side of tn queen.
 As the nurse disappeared into tn royal apartments a roar of cheerin; could be heard from the outside of tn palace. Business had been suspended for hours previous to the announcement of the birth A multitude had gathere, in the vicinity of the palace, and whel the royal standard of red and gold flut tered up to the peak of the flagstaff ol the Punta de Diamente making knowi that a prince of the Austurias was born shout of joy went up from the mass es Immediately afterward the salut of the cannon carried the news to tn, most remote confines of the city ant ! the inhabitants of the surroundinl countr.'
 As the sixteenth report resoundeC | (fifteen guns only would have been fireC to announce the birth of a girl) tn, men, women and children waiting il the streets and on the balconies ant roofs gave voice to their satisfaction and soon the whole city was ringing with cries of Long live the prince! "Lcng live the queen!" and Long liv the king!' Simultaneously the publi, buildings blossomed out, as if by mag lie, with the Spanish colors, and sing ing, dancing and otherwise rejoicing almost the entire population of tn city began streaming in the direction 0 the palace.