New-York tribune., 1919-10-21
Alfonso in Paris.
On Way to London,
Warmly Welcomed
Visits Poincare and Glen.
enceau and Receives the
Widows of Soldiers He
Aided During the War

PARIS, Oct. 20.-King Alfonso of
Spain arrived in Paris to-day from
Madrid and began almost immediately
to carry out the program arranged for
his brief stay before he proceeds to
England
Arriving at the Quay d'Orsay sta
tion, the monarch was welcomed bv
Stephen Pichon, French Foreign Min
ister; Colonel Radet, representing
President Poincare; Senior De Leon.
the Spanish Ambassador, and others.
Alfonso wore civilian clothes and his
attire contrasted sharply with that of
the French officials and the Spanish
grandees. who were in the regulation
frock coats and silk hats.
In spite of his strict incognito. the
crowds gathered outside the station in
the heavy fog and cheered the King
as he emerged from the freight eleva-
tor OF the station and stepped briskly
to waiting automobile, which took
him to the Hotel Maurice. In the ele
vator .gilded chair rested upon a red
carpet, but Alfonso preferred to stand
as the elevator descended to the street
level.
Visits President Poincare
This afternoon Alfonso paid visits to
President Poincare Premier Clemen-
ceau and Foreign Minister Pichon.
The King again was cheered by
large crowd as he left the hotel shortly
after noon to have luncheon with Am
bassador De Leon. He showed much
pleasure at the reception accorded
him by the Parisians.
After tho luncheon the King re-
ceived, at the home of the Spanish Am
bassador, delegations of widows and
orphans and wounded soldiers who
visited the embassy to thank the King
for what he did for them during the
war.
1t was touching scene when a score
OF women and girls, clad in heavy
mourning and representing the associa-
tion Of $4,000 war widows and orphans.
founded by Cardinal Annette, were in
troduced without formality. One war
widow read an address Of gratitude.
Severa. # them wept. The King, show
ing much emotion, replied:
"As a soldier think to fall for ones
country is u most glorious death
deeply sympathize with your grief and
the sacrifices so many mothers and
women made for their country"
Later he received General Durand.
representing the National Union of
Combatants, who thanked him for his
efforts in behalf of the prisoners and
hostages. To this the King responded
that he had done nothing but his duty
toward humanity.
Meets Marshal Foch
King Alfonso had a half-hour's con-
versation with Marshal Foch this after
noon. Many notable men, including
Premier Clemenccau and the American
Ambassador, Hugh C. Wallace, signed
the special register opened for the occa-
sion at the hotel.
According to present plans, the King
will leave Paris Thursday morninp at
il o'clock for London.
Commenting upon the visit of the
King, this mornings newspapers point
out that Spain, having seat in the
executive council of the Society of
Nations charged with the supervision
of the execution of the treaty of peace,
can no longer be considered neutral
and must assume an important role in
the worlds affairs.
This role" says the echo de Paris"
"accords with the great history Of
Spain, threads of which King Alfonso
course of his forthcoming visit to
South America"
Great Importance Hinted
Newspapers, particularly those spe-
c1ailzing IN foreign politics, such as the
Echo de Paris" and Excelsior" agree
in attaching great political Importance
to his visit, apart from Morocco. They
say Alfonso is coming here to pave the
way for early negotiations which the
gravity of the economic and social
crisis renders Imperative"
MADRID, Oct. 20.-Queen Victoria,
who did not accompany King Alfonso
on his journey to Paris last evening
because she was suffering from a slight
cold, was improved in condition to-day
1t was stated she probably would leave
Madrid on Thursday to join the King
| in London.