The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-05-12
WILL PUSH THE WAR
SPAIN DETERMINED NOT TO LOOSEN
THE CORDS THAT BIND CUBA.
Speech from the Throne Read by the
Queen Regent ON the Reassem-
bling Of the Cortes.
TAXES ARE TO BE INCREASED
WITH THE VIEW OF RAISING MORE
MONEY FOR WAR PURPOSES.
Indirect Reference to the Aid Rem
dered Insurgents by Filibustering
Expeditions from This Country.
RESPITE FOR AMERICANS
CREW OF THE COMPETITOR NOT TO
BE sUMMARILY EXECUTED.
Basis Of President Cleveland's Protest
Yankees Called Meddlers by
Captain General Wey1er.
Indirect Reference to the Aid Rem
Expeditions from This Country.
RESPITE FOR AMERICANS
CREW OF THE COMPETITOR NOT To
BE SUMMARILY EXECUTED.
Basis of President C1eveIand's Protest
Yankees Called Medd1ers by
Captain General Wey1er.

MADRID, May 1.-THE Cortes reassem-
bled to-day. At the opening of the Cham
bers the Queen Regent, the young King in
the uniform of a 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 dis
tance. The Queen Regent and the King
were seated on a throne, surrounded by
the Ministers. and were acclaimed by the
Deputies and Senators. Premier Canovas
then handed q copy OF the speech TO the
Queen Regent, who read it to the assem-
bly,. The speech announces a measure aim
ing to establish in the Antilles an admin
istration of purely local character, giving
the country control of its own finances.
while maintaining intact Spain's sovereign
rights The speech declares that Spain has
fulfilled beyond measure the promises she
made to the Cubans after the first rebellion.
The relations with the 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. it says. serves to prove
that each day develops still more the in
terests binding them to Spain. In the Unit
ed States, despite the efforts Of public opin-
ion in the contrary direction. the President
and his government have not separated
themselves from the line of conduct and
the loyal friendship which have always ex-
listed 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 occupied with an
increase Of the defenses for the peninsula
and for the colonies. The army will soon be
provided with new pattern rifles and a COM
plete artillery equipment. Spain has already
increased her navy by twenty-five gunboats
and other vessels. An extraordinary budget
will be presented TO provide for the acquisi-
tion of new ships and for improving the
arsenals.
The Queen Regent referred during the
speech to the measure voted by the Cham
bers for reforms in Cuba and Porto Rico
Despite these measures, she said, the rebel
lion had broken out in Cuba because the
rebels desired independence and not local
autonomy. Ii the rebellion triumpled Cuba
would take a step backward in civilization,
interest, industry and commerce. Cuba could
not prosper with independence. Spain could
not be Indifferent, the speech continued to
| the future of its children who were led
| cstray by political ambition or abandon the
| civil.zing mission imposed on ii by its his
| tory and honor. The Queen Regent praised
| the Cubans who had remained loyal to
| Spain, who, she said, would always be pre-
| pared to receive repentant insurgents with
| open arms. Spain had not hesjtated and
| would not hesitate at any sacrifice to main
| tain her authority in Cuba. The Governor
| General of Cuba, the speech affirmed, opines
| that the application of the reforms would
| not now contribute to peace. but, on the
| contrary would impede 1t. Nevertheless, the
| government had not abandoned considera-
i tion OF future legislation for the Antilles to
| establish il definitely when the time comes.
1t Is said that the fnsurrection Is declining
| and would already have been stamped out If
| the insurgents had not received great and
| frequent aid from abroad, where public opin-
| ion is deceived in regard to the political and
| administrative situation in Cuba. This help,
| however, would not have suficed to have pro-
| longed the struggle If the insurgents had not
| been imbued With the false hope of protec-
| ton by a great power. 1t was hoped that
| the unde ceiving OF the insurgents would con-
| tribute to the restoration of peace.
The speech concluded by saying that in
| order to secure the equilibrium of the budget,
| though circumstances at the moment were
! unpropitious, il was necessary 10 persevere
| and 70 increase the receipts. New sacrifices
| would be required from the taxpayers but
| these sacrifices will contribute to the coun-
| try's prosperity. The government hoped 10
| obtain unusual powers, permitting Ii TO raise
! money under more advantageous conditions.
| 1t was determined to maintain energetically
| the public credit and strictly to respect its
| engagements. notably with foreign capital
| lists, without forgetting that the national
| welfare was based solely on the financial
| system. The speech also announced reform
| in the recruiting laws and In provincial
municipal administration.