The record-union., 1898-05-04
All Offenses Against Public Order
Tried by Military Tribunals.
The Internal Situation in Spain Causing
the Government Almost as
Much Uneasiness as
the External.

| MADRID, Nav 3.-The proclamation
of martial law issued by the Governors
General expressly prohibits the publi-
cation of any news concerning the war
or the movements of ships of the Span
ish navy. The proclamation is coucned
in warlike language, beginning:
| Whereas, Spain finding herself at
war with the United States, the power
of the civil authorities in Spain is sus-
| pended.
| Whereas, it is necessary to prevent
any im0airment of the patriotic efforts
which are being made by the nation
with manly energy and veritable en-
| thusism:
Article IA state of siege in Madrid
is hereby proclaimed.
Article II.-As a consequence of Ar
ticle 1, all offenses against public order,
these of the press included, will be tried
| by the military tribunals.
Article III-In Article II. are in
cluded offenses committed by those who,
without special authorization, shall
publish relative to any operations OF
war whatsoever.
Then follow the articles which pro-
hibit meetings and public demonstra-
ton.
The proclamation has caused much
dissatisfaction, it being declared un-
necessary, unless the Government has
information of secret conspiracy. Sun
days demonstration was trivial. even
compared with the trifiing distIr )ances
upon the occasion of the proclama ton
of the Cuban N arrOiStica Tho oaucDaparo
are particularly discontented with the
state of affairs existing, as the mere
mention of military operations is pun
ishable severely. Groups of people
which gather around the spots where
the martial law proclamation is posted
promptly disperse, laughing when they
read the article prohibiting public gath
erings.
All interest is now centered in the de-
bates in the Cortes. The principal news
papers advise calmness, 80 as to avoid
the unoatriotic spectacle of disturb
ances when Soain's united forces are
required to avenge her recent losses
Much attention centered in to-day's
debates in the Chamber and Senate,
which were raised by the Republicans
and Carlists. who propose to hold the
Government responsible for the coun-
try's present position.
Although the position of certain mem
bers of the Cabinet is regarded as un-
favorable, it is a matter Of difficulty to
find men who are willing to succeed
4
All classes are determined that a strong
military attitude be taken us by men
capable Of coping with the present Sit
uation. Nobody will listen 70 a proposal
of peace until Spain has had another
chance of measuring her strength with
that of the United States.
AS precautionary measure in view
of the excitement which might follow
the debates to-day in the Cortes, the
troops of the garrison have been con-
fined to barracks, and the guards at all
the public highways have been doubled.
The Captain n-General of Madrid, an inn
passive, energetic man, will, it is said.
carry out martial law in a stern man
ner.
An article written by General Weyler
has appeared in a newspaper at Pal
ma, the Capital of the island of Ma
jorica, where the General was born,
and where his home is situated. The
General says that if the Government
had been prepared, Spain would now
be covered with glory.
Continuing, General Weyler asserts
that the Spanish army and navy are
superior in discipline to the. Yankees,
whose lack of discipline was manifested
in the loss of the Maine"
General Weyler then accuses the
Spanish Government of weakness, and
concludes with making pessimistic pre-
dictions regarding the future.
In Congress to-day "a resolution OF
homage" in honor of those killed in the
naval engagement off Cavite was
adopted unanimously. The message
from the Queen Regent was then
adopted. the Republicans, Carlists and
Conservatives voting in the negative.
The official account of Captain-Gen-
eral August is communicated. as is the
offer of the British Consul-General at
Manila to place all Chinese subjects in