Evening star., 1898-07-05
AFRAID TO CONFESS
Madrid officials Keep the Spanish
Public in Ignorance.
DECLARE CERVERA has ESCAPED
False Official Dispatches and
Interviews Given Out.
THE NEWSPAPER COMMENT

MADRID July ., 8 a. rn-ihS ScHeidi
pubic OF the the Spanish capital at this
hour still believes Admiral Cervera and
his squadron have escaped from Santiago
dc Cuba. thanks to the official dispatches
given cut by the government and the in
teryiews granted by the ministers.
A dispatch from Captain General B,anco
SAYS: "Cervera's squadron at II o'clock on
Sunday morning broke the center of the
line OF the American fleet and proceeded
a. full steam in a westerly direction
The Spanish minister for war, Senior
Aunon, is quoted in an interview as saying:
II am highly pleased with the feat OF arms
performed by Admiral Cervera's squadron,
which left Santiago the moment Admiral
Cervera judged 1t opportune to do So"
After eulogizing the Spanish admiral the
minister of marine added:
THE squadron could only leave the har-
Dor at given moment and when that
moment arrived Admiral Cervera seized 1t.
! Eave never doubted he would do But.
of course. 1T is difficult to foresee the re-
suit The American squadron was taken
by surprise. After attacking US the Amer
lean admiral detached five of his best ships
which steamed for some time abreast cf
ours. but the- were soon left astsrn. Only
the Iowa and Brooklyn were able to fol-!
low our fleet. but it Is certain they will
not do SO far. for fear of reprisals our
part. Admiral Cervera deserves great
praise"
Ii is said in Madrid that Gen. Pando is
still at Havana and that the reinforce
ments for Santiago de Cuba are command
ed by Gen. Pareja and Coils. Escarce and
Mario
The American accounts of the naval bat
tie cause immense surprise and sensation,
though they are discredited by the Spanish
officials.
Every one is anxiously awaiting for news
of today's expected bombardment of San
tiago de Cuba. and 1t is anticipated that
the fighting will result in appalling blood
shed. The Spaniards doubt whether the
Americans. even II they destroy the city,
Will succeed in penetrating into 1t, as their
losses are confidently expected to be en-
OrmOus, since the arrival of the Spanish
Ieinforcements at Santiago will. according
TO the people here, enable Santiago TO
make a more tenacious defense than would
Otherwise have been the case.
The Reinforcements.
LONDON, July 5.-A special dispatch
from Madrid. by way of Paris, gives long
circumstantiai account. by Capt Aunon,
minister of marine, of Admiral Cervera's
alleged escape from Santiago harbor.
The Madrid correspondent of the Stand
ard says:
In military circles it is believed that the
reinforcements under Gen. Escario and
Gen. Pamela cannot now do more than
to furnish a way for the garrison of San
tiago to fall back upon Holguin or Puerto
Principe. If the generals decide to aban-
don the beleasuered city they would take
the loyalist volunteers and their families
with them 10 save them from the Cuban
Insurgents.
The newspapers are daily showing an
increasing animus against the government
Today the comments are very bitter. FL
Imparcial asks for new men capable of
Inspiring the nation and the army with
confidence.
Ell Liberal tells the cabinet that the last
and best service it could render the coua-
try would be to make way for men more
in touch with public opinion and allow a
solution of the crisis in which the present
and future OF Spain are at stake.
Violent Madrid Newspapers.
FL Heraldo declares that the lfme for a
liquidation of responsibilities is fast ap-
preaching. The Carlist and republican pa
pers are equally violent. They cast the
entire blame upon the liberal cabinet, with
unenv1able task of succeeding Segas.a
General Correa, minister of war. has
distributed three and a half million pesetas
between Cadiz. Carthagena, Ferron. Palma.
Mahon. Teneriffe. Las Palmas, Ceuta and
Melila for the completion of Notifications.
captain Aunon. minister of marine, has
forwarded to the same ports considerable
amount OF war stores and materials neces-
s2ry Tor submarine defenses. The arms
manutactory at Trubia is working night
and day on heavy guns for coast defenses.
-Four krupps and four mortars have been
sent this week to Santander Six have been
sent 10 Barcelona, where some important
batteries have recently been erected"
War Fever In spain
The Madrid correspondent of the Daily
Chronicle saws:
The enthusiasm of the Spanish soldierv
Continues. put there is bitter resentment
for the bad military and naval organization.
and resignation of the responsible minis
tiers is demanded.
ne war fever is running high The
cabinet is divided into peace and war par
tes- An uneasy feeling has been caused
by the special precautions being taken
Admiral Camara will pass through the
Suez canal tomorrow July J). The DESTROY
Watson's squadron.
The coast towns are being rapidly forti
ned, especially Punta Cabrera and Cerro
Ihorrucles, commanding Gibraltar hay
Win the object of preventing the Ameri-
cans from coaling- There are renewed dif
hcultles regarding the exchange of bank
notes at Algeciras and Badajez. Senior
eFamazo' minister Of public instruction and
Puohc works talks of precautions in view
OF the attitude of the workingrnen in Ca.
tilIa"
Gen. Linares' Wound
MADRID, July 5--An official dlspatch
from Santiago says that the wound of Cen
Linares has developed no complications Ea
Is profoundly touched by the numerous
congratulations he has received. His troops
Also are grateful for the queen reeent.s
eablegram Of feIicitation.
GONE To MADRID.
spanish Minister at Tansfer Dcnur,.
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