The San Francisco call., 1896-03-02
The Prime Minister said

and have more reason to trust that:he will
not comply with the resolutions contained
therein"
He added: "The granting of belligerent
rights 20 the Cuban rebels is not a casus
belli, but Spain shall declare that it is not
the act of friendly nation. do not
think that Spain is threatened by foreign
aggression, but measures shall be taken
for the defense of Spanish rights, chiefly
in Cuba. As regards demonstrations in
the streets here, / shall repress them Sc
verely."
Senior SilveIa, leader of the dissident con-
servatives, has, in an interview, advised
the union of all Spaniards without regard
to their political faith. He added that the
act of the American Senate was without
precedent in international law. He greatly
feared, considering the bad faith of the
Americans, that they gave beIligerent
rights a different meaning than is de-
scribed in international law.
An interview was also sought with Senior
CASTELAR,, the Republican leader, but he re-
fused to speak on the subject, as he con-
sidered the circumstances to be of the
most serious nature.
Senior Eduaon, Minister of Foreign
Affairs, has sent long cable dispatch
to Senior Dupuy de Lone, Spanish Embas-
sador to Washington, instructing him to
present to the American Government
formal protest against the insult
offered to Spain in speeches delivered in
the Senate during the discussion of the
beIligerency resolution.
At several o. he cafes here last night
bands played patriotic airs, which evoked
sionally cries could be heard against
America and the Americans.
The troops are confined to their barracks
in readiness to respond to any call for their
services.
This morning the city was quiet. but the
public buildings, the American legation
and the residence of Minister Taylor were
guarded, the authorities fearing that in
the present state of public excitement an
attack might be made upon them. A
group of fifty students paraded this morn
ing. They were perfectly orderly and
no attempt was made to interfere with
them. AT the university the students this
afternoon attempted to make demonstra-
ton, but the police, having in mind the
Ioe hol ~ ~,
men, promptly in.ervened and dispersed
them.
Acting under instructions from the Gov
ernment no group of persons is allowed to
approach the United States legation or the
house occupied by Minister Taylor.
In addition 90 the warships Petayo, Viz
caya. Oyuendo, Maria Teresa, Lepanto
and Alfonso XIII, the Ministry of Marine
has ordered that several torpedo-boats and
one torpeio-catcher be made ready for i'm
mediate dispatch in the event of the United
States acknowledging the Cubans as bell
ligerents.
Admiral Beranger has ordered that the
training squadron also be held in readi-
ness for service. Its probable objective
point is Cuba. Fifty merchant vessels
will receive ornaments and will be used
as transports or cruisers should the neces-
sity arise. Several captains in the mer-
chant service have offered to arm their
vessels and turn them into privateers in
the event of war.
A capitalist in Barcelona has informed
the Government that if he be granted let
ters of marque he will tit out and main
tain at his own cost a swift steamer to
prey upon the maritime commerce of the
United States.
Minister Taylor was expected last night
to attend the opera. where he has box
He did not go, however. as be learned that
hostile demonstration had been prepared
for him, and he though. it best to not add
fuel to the flame that is now burning SO
brightly against the country he represents.
There is a general feeling that Spain
must do something to avenge what she
considers an insult to her honor, but it is
thought that the Government is too cool
headed to be carried away by popular
clamor. 1t will take all the steps it deems
right and expedient to protect Spain's
interests, but will do nothing to provoke a
war with the United States.
the Prime Minister has announced that
the Government has sufficient resources to
conduct the war il Cuba until the end of
May, when it will ask the Cortes to grant
a further credit
The impartial tindependent) to-day ad-
vises prudence and exhorts the ministry to
await events. 1t says:
'If matters reach the conclusion the
Americans desire the whole of Spain will
rise against the United States. Neither in
the Mediterranean, whose entrance we
command, nor or on the Atlantic will
single American ship be safe for we shall
organize privateers on a large scale, We
must not make a noisy demonstration,
like the Portuguese at the time of their
dispute with Great Britain. We conquered
Napoleon by system of guerrilla war
fare, and we shall establish a system of
privateers that will conquer a mercantile
nation on the sea. The Americans are
willing TO judge Spain by her finances.
There are considerations superior to the
revenues of the country"
This article is illustrative of the popular
feeling. There is no doubt-at least no