The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-05-07
. DEFENSE OF SPAIN
Senior Moret Makes the Speech q
His Life.
THE SINS OF THE NATION
He Insists That the Press IL Trying to
Load Them on His ehoulders-Un-
prepared for War-An APP
peal for Unity.

Madrid, May 6.-In the senate to-day
Senior Puigceiver refused any explana-
ton as to the war intentions of the
government. In reply to q question
whether measures had been taken in
view of the Industrial crisis due to the
diminution of the stock of coal. he said
the government was inquiring into the
question n If necessary would pre-
vent h expectation of coal.
In the congress Senior Capdopon,
minister for the interior. asked the
deputies to suspend judgment as to the
Manila engagement until detailed re-
ports had been received.
Senior Moret, minister for the coll
onies, in a speech. regarded as the best
in his political career and repeatedly
interrupted by enthusiastic cheers. i'm
sisted that the throne occupied briefly
by a young n promising ara
afterward by his widow n child.
must lot be blamed for the policy d.
different governments"
The responsibility existed. he de-
clared, as the burden of all. each
should bear his share instead of try
ing to shift n blame to a n~eighbor.
He defended autonomy as granted to
Cuba generously, under the friendly
advices of the powers, in order to de-
prive the Americans Of a pretext to To-
ment discomfort and rebellion. Au-
onomy, he maintained, had achieved
consideration and improved the eco
nomic situation. He pointed. as q
proof of its success. above all others
to the loyal friendship and assistance
of the Cubans in the present war
against the United States"
With regard to the question of UNI
preparedness, Senior Moret candidly
confessed that he had not Relieved un-
til the very last that war would come,
as he considered the Americans were
incapable of attacking Spain without
the slightest cause but when con-
WINGED that the United States was
ent upon ~despoiling Spain. then. with
the entire cabinet, he seriously pre-
pared to repel an unjust attack. pur-
chasing and fitting out warships and
procuring war material irrespective of
cost" resolving to make a strong
stand and converting a peace-loving
people into a warlike cabinet"
In pathetic terms Senior Moret cleared
himself of the charges of a press which
was, he said. trying to load all the
sins of the nation" pom him. He as
serted that he yielded to non in pa
triotism and was always acting to se-
cure what he thought best for his courfr
try's welfare. In conclusion, he an
pealed to the patriotism of the nation
and the chamber to assist and advise
the government i'm its defense of the
rights and honor of Spain" a task which
was"the work of all, with the collective
after-responsibiiity of the ministry to-
the cortes and the nation"
Senior Moret resumed his seat amid
thunderous applause, deputies crowd
ing around him, loading him with con-
gratulations.
Further disorders are reported from
different parts of the provinces, espe-
cially from Murcia, capital of the prov
ince Of that name, 30 miles from Car
thagcna, where a mob, composed main-
ly of striking miners, has cut the tele-
graph lines, set fire to the town hall and
the law courts, burning the archives.
The rioters also made an attack upon
the local Jail, beating in the doors and
releasing the prisoners.
Finally. the rioting strikers have in
terrupted railroad communication with
Murcia and ave destroyed a store by
the use of dynamite, distributing the
provisions which il contained. The sit
uation is regarded as being very seri-
GUS.