A banquet for Carlo as riots continue in Spain

February 10, 1901

Queen Maria Cristina, the Regent of Spain, hosted a dinner tonight for her future son-in-law, Prince Carlo of Bourbon-Two-Sicilies, and his parents, the Count and Countess of Caserta. The gala was "an extremely brilliant affair." The guests were entertained by a band of halberdiers.

At the dinner, the Count of Caserta and the Queen's younger daughter, Infanta Maria Teresa, sat to the Queen's right, along with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Infanta Eulalia, and the Minster of Marine. On the queen's left sat, Prince Carlo and his fiancee, the Princess of (the) Asturias, the President of the Chamber of Deputies, and Princess Immaculada.

 
Archduchess Elisabeth, the Regent's mother, sat opposite her "with distinguished guests on each side.
The Queen's brother, Archduke Eugen,  arrived in the afternoon and is expected to attend the Court ball in honor of the wedding.

Some forty former Cabinet ministers are expected to attend the wedding, which will take place in the Palace chapel. Complete details of the wedding have not been made public, but it is understood that the newly married couple "will not appear in the streets" after the wedding, and all of the celebrations will take place in the palace.

More than six hundred students have sent a petition to the Minister of Public Instruction declaring "that the marriage of the Princess of the Asturias with the son of him who caused the nation so many sorrows to be a national misfortune and a reason for mourning instead of rejoicing." The students "deemed it their duty" to decline the offer of a holiday to honor the wedding.

The Chicago Daily Tribune reports on the growing mob scenes throughout Spain. Demonstrations against the marriage have grown and spread outside the capital, Madrid. There have been demonstrations in Valladolid, Barcelona, Valencia, and Granada.

It is believed that the authorities cannot fully cope with the growing disturbances as "many persons were wounded by bullets in the street fights."

University students have stoned clerical establishments, including monasteries and convents, shouting "Long live Liberty!" and "Down with the Jesuits!."