Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-05-12
PRoMIsESHoME RULE
SPANS Policy Toward the Antilles
Announced.
SPEECH OF TIE QUEEN REGENT READ
New Trial for the Competitor
PfisonerssasL Likely.
LIKENED TO JAMESON'S RAID

At the opening of the Spanish chambers
at Madrid yesterday the queen regent, the
young king in the uniform of student of
the military school, the Infanta Isabella
and suite drove to the cortes in splendid
carriages Troops lined the route for the
whole Of the distance
The queen regent and the king, were
seated on throne, surrounded by the min
listers, and were acclaimed by the deputies
and senators. Premier Canovas then
handed a copy of the speech to the queen
regent who read it to the assembly
The speech from the throne announces a
measure aiming to establish in the Antilles
an administration Of purely local char
acter giving the country control Of its own
finance, while maintaining intact Spains
sovereign rights
The speech declares that Spain has full
filed beyond measure the promises she
made to the Cubans after the first rebel
lion. The relations with foreign powers,
the speech says, are excellent. The correct
and friendly attitude of the South and
Central American republics in the presence
of the Cuban rebellion, 1t says, serves to
prove that each day develops still more
the interests binding them to Spain.
In the United States, despite the efforts
of public opinion in the contrary direction.
the President and his government have not
separated themselves from the line of con-
duct and the loyal friendship which have
always existed between the two countries
since the creation of the republic.
The pope has given renewed sympathy to
Spain.
The speech praises the conduct of the
army and navy during the struggle in
Cuba. The government is actively occu-
pied with an increase of the defenses for
the peninsula and for the colonies. The
army will soon be provided with new pat
tern rifles and complete artillery equip
ment. Spain has already increased her
navy by twenty-five gunboats and other
vessels. An extraordinary budget will be
presented to provide for the acquisition of
new ships, and for improving the arsenals.
A New Trial Likely.
One of the chief members Of the cabinet
said to the Philadelphia Press correspond
ent at Madrid Sunday night, in response to
questions regarding the case of the Com
rettor:
The American note contains no menaces
and is not couched in violent terms. In
deed, it can hardly be called note. 1t SIM
ply calls attention to the right OF American
prisoners to be judged by ordinary pro-
ceedings according TO treaties. The Amer
lean government is right in making the
protest.
The minister afterward expressed the
opinion that the supreme court will declare
the Havana proceedings null, and will or
der a new trial, with guarantees as stipu-
lated by the treaties.
AT meeting of the liberal ex-ministers
at the house of ex-Premier Sagasta there
was a split on the question of Cuban re-
ferns. Seniors NuneZ. Arce, Canalejas and
BeCerra voted for adjournment of the proc
lamation Of reforms until the war is brought
IN conclusion SannrS
Leon and Castillo declared for an imme-
date application of reforms.
The difficulty was settled and the split
closed by Senior Moret proposing vote Of
confidence in Senior Sagasta, which was
carried unanimously.
Compared With jameson.
The London Daily Telegraph discuss
ing tho negotiations for a respite for the
Competitor prisoners says: Time will be
given for a subsistence of popular excite
ment 10th in the United States and Spain.
In the latter Of which countries a certain
amount of emotion is excusa BILE; especially,
If 1t is true, reported, that in addition to
numerous filibustering expeditions,
steamer belonging to the Cuban insurgents
has, in spite of protests of the Spanish
consul at Jacksonville. recently left the
Florida coast, carrying rifles, guns and
men. the majority of whom are gunners Of
the United States militia.
''MeanEhi it is interesting to note the
admirable elasticity of the political morals
which enables the radical press of this
country, after solemnly lecturing the Char
tered Company and its officers on the in
iquity of their doings in the Transvaal, to
express. in an adjoining column, their en-
thusiastic sympathy with the American
Jamesons who make filibustering raids
upon Cuba on behalf of an overtaXed and
oppressed population, with whom they are
connected by no tie Of nationality what
ever"
The London Daily Graphic says Eng
| lishmen can sympathiZe with the United
States in the Competitor matter, for that
ill-starred enterprise bears no small resem-
blance to the action of DR.. Jameson. The
people Of Cuba have been not less scandal
ously misgoverned than the Uitlanders Of
the Rand We, however, have been caught
mapping only once and have taken precau-
tons that peace be not disturbed second
time.
THE United States, however, If not ac-
tually winking at the raiders land it is diff
ficult to count such expeditions), has not
forbade them. Again, Mr.. Olney's manner
has been exceedingly unfortunate, and the
able restraint in consenting to reconsider
the sentences"
THE QUEEN REGENTS ADDRESS.
In Opening the COrtes She Refers to
the InsurrectiOn in Cuba.
Senior De Lone. the Spanish minister. has
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