Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1929-02-08
Queen MOTHER
BURIED while
SPAIN MOURNS
Great Throng Views
Last Rites; King AL
fonso, Her Son, Is
At Ceremonies


MADRID. Feb. s-R-whilc all
Madrid mourHru, the body Of Queen
Mother Maria Christina Of Spain,
who died Wednesday. was inferred
today in a tomb close 70 that Of her
husband, Alfonso XII. in the monas-
tary Of the historic Escorial.
While the ceremony vas In prog
fess flags with mourning bands
were hoisted on all public buildings
and volleys OF artillery were fired.
From early morning great crowds
had assembled about the royal pal
zee and along streets lcadinE 70 the
station from which the body was
sent "a the Escorial.
King Alfonso Present
Only the palace personnel and
sher officials made up the main
funeral cortege which was Thanked
b. Officers in full uniform. At the
railroad station Premier Primo de
Rivera, with members Of his gov
eminent and the diplomatic corps
stood BY while the coffin was placed
upon the train.
King Alfonso, son Of the Queen
Mother, and Queen Victoria, took
part In the ceremony throughout.
Upon arriving AZ the door OF the
Escorial, the body was taken from
tire funeral coach by hereditary roy
III huntsmen Of Espinoza who de-
ftyered it to the %esquires of Casa y
Voca. IL was carried by Spanish
gyandces 70 the platform in the ba-
silica whore Augustine fathers took
charge Of IL.
Coffins Sealed
The two collins, one Of mahogany
and one Of lead in which the body
reposed, were sealed. a response
was sung as the escort entered the
hnsiiica. Then the coffin wa placed
upon the eatafalsue and a mass was
sung.
Afterwards the escort passed on
% the Pantheon Of the Kings where
the receiving vault was opened by
the Augustine Fathers. the Duke Of
Sotomayor and the minister of JUS
ticc. The body was placed within
the vault.
A series Of political events in her
own country. Austria, which threw
certain responsibilities and interna-
iional duties upon her, caused Maria
Christina, queen dowager Of Spain,
20 come out Of q life Of scclusion
upon which she entered and eventu-
ally resulted In her marriage 20 King
Alfonso XII Of Spain. II was her
intention, II was said, 10 take the full
vows Of a nun, wehn international
and political events interviewed and
made IL incumbent upon her 10 leave
the convent.
The married life OF the royal cou-
pie continued for only six years, be-
Ing terminated by the death Of King
Alfonso XII November rs, 1885. The
young queen was confronted by a
serious situation because Of dissen-
nions In Spain and trouble In the
dependencies. then located In the
Atlantic and Pacific. Still more
serious, however, In the eyes Of the
Spanish people, was the fact that
there was no male heir 20 the throne.
This apprehension was removed with
the birth Of the present ruler. King
Alfonso XIII, on May IL, 1885. six
months after tho death Of his father.
Ruled For Son
Upon the death Of her husband.
Maria Christina assumed the regency
~ Spain and ruled the country until
May. 1902. when her son reached the
legal age at which he could be n
trusted with the rule OF the mon
arehy and assembled the throne. Dur
ing the regency the queen was aid
ed By Antonio Canovas del Castillo
and Praxedes Mateo Sagasta. conser-
vative and liberal prime ministers.
respectively. The i6 years Of the
regency was marked by almost con-
tinnal internal troubles IN Spain and
disturbances and revolutions in the
colonial possessions. Papal protec-
fion was promised 20 the queen and