The herald., 1896-05-12

nVe men captured on the Competitor
were tried. Friday last. Admiral Navar-
70. in conformity with the petition of
the prosecutor and the sentence of the
naval tribunal, approved and signed the
sentence Of death imposed upon Filibus-
ters Alfredo Laborde, DR.. Elias Bedia,
William Gildea. John Melton and Theo-
dore Mata. The announcement is sup
plemented by the statement that in view
OF high state considerations the cases
have been referred for final decision to
the supreme tribunal Of war and marine.
Two OF the alleged filibusters. both citi-
zens of the United States, said to have
formed part Of the Competitor expedi-
ton, have arrived here in custody from
Bahia Honda.
THE CoRTEs MEETS.
MADRID. May 1.-THE cortes reas-
sembled today. The speech from the
throne announced a measure aiming to
establish in the Antilles an administra-
tion OF purely local character, giving
the country control Of its own finance,
while maintaining intact Spain's SOW
ereign rights. The speech declares that
Spain has fulfilled beyond measure the
promises she made to the Cubans after
the first rebellion. The relations with
foreign powers, the speech says. are ex-
cellent. The correct and friendly atti-
tude Of the South and Central Ameri-
can American republics in the presence
of the Cuban rebellion, it says, serves
to prove that each day develops still
more the interests binding them 10
Spain. In the United States, despite the
efforts of public opinion. in the contrary
direction, the president and his govern
ment have not separated themselves
from the line Of conduct and the loyal
friendship which have always existed
between the two countries since the Gre
alton of the republic. The Pope has given
renewed sympathy to Spain.
The government. the speech continues.
will present declarations signed by ia
pan on the subject of the delimitation Of
the Spanish and Japanese possessions
in the far east. The speech praises the
conduct Of the army and navy during
the struggle with Cuba. The govern
ment is actively occupied with an in
crease of the defenseS for the peninsula.
and for the colonies. The army will soon
be provided with new pattern rifles and
a complete artillery equipment. Spain
has already increased her navy by 26
gunboats and other vessels. An extraor-
dinary budget win be p resented to pro-
vide for the acquisition OF new ships and
for improving the arsenals. At the
opening of the chamber today the queen
regent and the young king were seated
on throne surrounded by the ministers
and were accompanied by the deputies
and senators. Premier CanovaS then
nanOeQ q copy Oh tno SpeSCu 10 lHc Quccu
regent, who read it to the assembly.
EXECUTION POSTPONED.
WASHINGTON. May lin the Com
petitor case 1t can be authoritatively
stated that at the request Of the United
States the Spaniards will postpone
the execution of the death sentence
upon the American citizens until the
views of the United States respecting
the application to their cases Of the
treaty of 1795 and the protocol of 1877
can be considered. The announcement
means delay Of some weeks. The mat
ter will be taken up by the diplomatic
representatives Of the United States and
Spain and be made a subject Of the ex-
change Of correspondence on the Inter-
probation to be given the trea4y provis-
ions. Meanwhile the effect will be to
allay popular excitement both here and
in Spain.
WARLIKE TALK
MADRID. May 11.-Imparcial. refer
ing editorially to the strained relations
between the United States and Spain,
says:
the patience Of Spain or themselves and
declare war. 1t is preferable to hasten
the event, as the inferiority of Spain VIII
increase with time"
Capt. Gen. Weyler has not yet re-
Piled to the command sent to him to re-
nit to the supreme court the cases Of the
men sentenced to death for taking part
in the Competitor expedition.
The Spanish premier. Senor Canovas
del Castillo. and the United States min
lister had a conference today, the result
of which is not known. It Is reported
that Capt.-Gen. Weyler has cabled the
Spanish government that the Spanish
authorities are hampered by the "irrf-
tating meddling Of America In Cuban
affairs"
It is understood the United States
government has presented fresh claims
for heavy indemnities through losses on
sugar plantations belonging to Ameri-
cans burned by insurgents. tits expect
ed these demands will lead to further
complications.
ENGLISH INTEREST
LONDON. May III. L. O'Kelly. Par
nellite member Of parliament for North
Roscommon. asked the government in
the house Of commons today II represen-
tations had been made to Spain to OBJ
tain q Communication of the sentence Of
death imposed on William Gildea, de-
scribed as British subject captured on
the American f1libustering schooner
Competitor. Curzon, parliamentary
secretary Of the foreign Office. said the
matter had raised important questions
OIL policy dHu 1LIciAeltlOA0A law dno uC
asked O'Kelly to repeat the question to-
morrow.
The Globe this afternoon, commenting
upon the Cuban situation, says: 1t is
impossible not to sympathize with the
Spanish ministry, suddenly callAd to
chose between the loss of Spain's best
colony and war with a great power. In
the event of war European sympathy
will be wholly with Spains Continuing,
the Globe says:
1.-The action Of the American author
tiles in the Bermuda affair has caused
much irritation at Madrid. The Span
iards are apparently less accustomed
than ourselves to the vagaries Of the d.
plomacy of short sleeves. The recent
diplomats of the Monroe doctrine find
little favor abroad. Although the pre-
tentious arrogance at Washington late
ly betrays indications of spelling for a
fight, we believe the true explanation of
the meddling policy is to render Ameri-
can commerce paramount throughout
the western hemisphere"
a The st. James Gazette remarks:
"There are conditions in both the United
States and Spain which initiate against
peaceful settlement. America is quite