The herald., 1898-05-24
We TRIED TO TfLL.AuIf
BY FALSELY FLYING THE FLAG
OF SPAIN
CADIZ FLEET READY TO SAIL
But Whether Bound East or Nesu Is
One Of the Things No Fellow
Can Find Out


Associated Press Special Wire
MADRID, May %, 3 p.m.-In the Senate
today Count Aaenas vehemently protested
against the alleged action of some Amer
lean warships In displaying the Spanish
Gag In order to deceive the garrison of Qua
tanamo, as announced on Saturday last. In
a dispatch from Captain-General Blanco,
who added that the American ships were
Immediately recognized and repulsed."
The count asked If the government had
notified the powers of this incident.
The Minister of the Interior, Senior Cape
don, replied that he had notified the pow
ers and described this reported action as
"cowardly and iniquitous."
Count Alaenas said:
"That in view OF Americas manner OF
making war, Spain must Immediately de-
cree privateeriug, in order to utterly de-
stroy American shipping"
To this the Minister of the Interior re-
piled that the government had deliberated
upon the matter and had "even taken GER
tain decisions which would soon be known"
Count Guandolon said the American acts
of piracy were admitted by certain the
orists as international law.
Senior Pacheco remarked that it was
doubtful whether such an act was legal
But" he added, Sin face OF the Amer
leans conduct in the war with Spain we
must not show consideration for them"
Continuing, the speaker protested against
SPANS adherence to the Geneva conven-
ton, whereupon the Minister of the In
terror replied that Spain had not yet en-
tered the convention.
Senior Condre, professor of international
law at the Madrid university, warmly de-
nounced what he was pleased to term the
'base proceedings of the United States,
declaring that if Washington authorized
such acts, at did not deserve the name of a
civilized government"
The professor then proceeded to unfold
a lengthy indictment of the alleged war
methods of the americans, insisting that
they have shown mo respect for the rights
of people in the capture of merchantmen
and commandments" reiterating that the
acts of the United States are not those of a
civilized country.
Important If, True
MADRID, May %. Midnight.-The belief
is prevalent in all circles and in all sections
of the press that the government is in pos
session of important news from Cuba. Its
character has not been made public.
The report that Great Britain has sent a
note to Spain asking an explanation of the
troops in the neighborhood of Gibraltar Is
officially denied.
The grand Gordon of military credit has
been conferred upon Captain Deschamps of
the Spanish steamer Montserrat, which re-
Gently arrived at Corunna from Cienfue-
COS. The queen regent personally pre-
scented the captain with the insignia.
Vatican Neutrality
LONDON, May 24.-The Rome cores
pondent of the Chronicle says he learns
that the vatican's declaration of neutrality
was due to notification from Washington
that no manifestations of sympathy with
Spain would be tolerated
The New Ministry
NEW YORK, May pa dispatch to the
World from Madrid says:
with the incoming Of the new govern
ment the greatest impetus has been given
to activity in the navy yards, and, 1t may
be added, to home defenses. Torpedoes
have been laid at the entrances of all the
important harbors.
The new Ministry has determined to send
at once what is known as the Reserve
Squadron, that is to say, the armed war;
ship Pelayo, the protected cruisers Carlos
v and Alfonso XIII, the torpedo boat de-
stroyers Audaz, Proserpina and Destruc-
tor; the dispatch boat Giralda; the dispatch
boats Rapido and Patria. and the armed
transatlantic liners Joaquin de Pielago.
Alfonso XIII, Antonio Lopez, Ciudad lie
Cadiz and Buenos Ayres.
To the above will be added the Reina
Regente, which is being armed in Fer
Iol, and the Leon XIII, which has already
started from Barcelona for Cadiz.
This fleet is likely to start at once and
It Is publicly stated that 1t is going d.
rect to Manila.
Significant suggestions are made as to
the possibility of the Pelayo getting
through the Suez Canal, owing to her
draught, but 1t may be readily understood
that the Admiralty is not giving their
secrets away; that the fleet will sail under
sealed orders, and that it is quite as likely
to go west as east.
A Makeshift Body
LONDON, May 23.-The Times corre-
spondent at Paris, comcmnting on the
composition Of the new chamber of depu-
ties, says: The cabinet has a majority of
from twelve to fifteen, including the rail-
lied section, an uncertain band who will
melt away at the time of great battles,
rendering victories indecisive and defeats
easy. 1t will be a bad chamber. The gov
eminent will live from hand to mouth with
out effecting anything serious or stable.
The Conservatives can at any time turn
the scales, and neither with them nor with
out them can the government be carried
on.
The Madrid correspondent of the Daily
Mail says:
1t is safe to predict another cabinet cri-
sis, Minister Puigceiver, minister of fin
ance, who in the cortes has absolutely de-
clined to adopt an income tax, being ex-
pected to resign soon.
The Cadiz Fleet
NEW YORK, May ga dispatch to the
World from Cadiz says:
1t is stated here very positively that the
Pelayo, Carlos " three of the transatlan-
tic steamers and two torpedo boats are
about to sail for the Philippines. The
Fe.ayo is we'll armed. arrpored and manned.
The Carlos v is well armored and manned
and has good guns, but her heavy ones for
ward will not swing, owing to defects in
; the machinery, apd can only be fired direct