The herald., 1898-04-23
POSITION OF SAGASTA
IMPROVED BY HIS DECISIVE
ATTITUDE
AN UNPLEASANT FEATURE
is the Demand for Coin, That Threat
ems to Cripple Every Bank
in Spain
Associated Press Special Wire

Associated Press Special Wire
LONDON, April 22.-The Madrid corre-
spondent of the Telegraph, wiring Friday
night, comments upon the great extent to
which Senor Sagasta has strengthened his
position by his decisive attitude toward
the United States and his advice to the
queen regent to consult all political lead
ers.
Martinez Campos, after his audience
with the queen regent, publicly declared
that he had advised her to stick to the
Liberal cabinet, and, If that were impos-
sible, then to call on the Conservatives to
take the helm, adding that II 1t became
necessary, in default of other solutions, he
himself would be always ready to assist
the monarchy and his country, though he
had no personal ambition.
"A most unpleasant feature Of the situa-
ton is the panic on the Madrid and Barce-
Iona bourses and in financial circles all
over Spain. despite the energetic efforts
of the leading bankers and the remon-
strances Of the press. The people have be-
gun in Madrid, and even more so in the
provinces, to crowd the branch offices of
the Bank of Spain to exchange notes for
silver, which has long been the only cur
rent coin in Spain. El impartial says that
in three days 5000 900 pesetas have been
drawn in silver from the Bank of Spain al
Barcelona.
'The decline in Spanish bonds and in \
= all the favorite securities of the native +
y investors has been painful. AS every \
= body knows the Spaniards themselves =
4 nowadays hold almost all their con- 4
n soils, their Cuban debt and other issues. \
= 1t will suffice to quote, as instances, 4
= the Bank of Spain shares, which since \
= the last settlement have declinedfrom \
= 402 to 270; the tobacco monopoly, which \
= has fallen from 243 to 100. and Cuban \
= bonds. which have falen from 92 to \
y 81, while the exchange on Paris has +
= risen from 80 to 6S, to say nothing Of \
= the gold premiums y
Ell Nacional, the organ of Romero Rob-
ledo, in an editorial characteristic of the
feeling and tendencies of the more re-
speotful members of the opposition, en-
titled Speech Of the Spanish Nation to the
Queen Regent, in Reply to the Speech From
the Throne" says:
ION reading the words of your majesty.
We cannot hide from our queen the fact
that they fill us with profound sadness.
Your majesty says nothing of the en-
ployment that has been given our 200, 900
sons, hurried away from productive work
In order to fight for the fatherland and the
king.
your majesty makes no mention of the
100000 pesetas, earned by the sweat of our
brow, which we contributed to preserve
intact our honor. You say naught about
the manner In which the gold and blood
have changed places. nor how the gold and
blood are to be regained
We can understand, madame, that in
your august heart large placeis ncnliniAd
by your SON. our king but Tor similar rea-
son your majesty VIII understand that in
our soul there predominates deep anxiety
for our 100000 sons. your subjects. Your
majesty speaks to us only of what is yours.
Your entire speech abounds in capital let
ters, which arrest attention and deal with
your royal person rather than with an ex-
pianation of the great misfortunes or the
promise of effective remedies. 1t consti-
tutes an enthusiastic hymn to motherly
love.
"Athwart this speech, madame. we sec
mother bending down over a cradle. but
we seek in vain for a queen bending over
a tomb which appears to open to receive
an ill-starred nation. Still, with that no.
bility of soul that has enabled us to be-
stow name and character upon Spain.
we receive your request and we have no
objection to protect the throne of YOUR
self. the king, in remembrance of that
other king, your consort whose memory.
as we have noted with much pain, was not
mentioned yesterday by your august lips.
But now let us speak of ourselves, be-
cause If we perish will not ruin overtake
your son? If we be dishonored by igno-
minious defeat, will not your throne be
soiled by the mud in which we are bur-
ied?''
The speech concludes with questions as
to the whereabouts of the increased
squadron and the strong fortifcations for
which Spain paid so heavily in 1896, and a
prediction that a day Of reckoning is near
at hand.
A Sanguine View
PARIS. April 22.-The Gaulois publishes
an interview with Senior de Bose, the dis
tinguished Spanish financial authority,
who declared: 1.-THE war between Spain
and the United States cannot last more
than ten or twelve months and will not
cost over twenty to twenty-four million
pounds. sum Spain can easily furnish
from her own resources
Not So Hopeful
LONDON, April 23-The Madrid corre
spondent of the Daily Telegraph saws: "In
well informed parliamentary circles a
pessimistic view is taken as to the upshot
Of the war. Even the politicians who are
patriotically supporting the government
accuse the Liberal cabinet of having
brought about the war and of having
made no preparations to carry it on. Those
who have studied the question affirm that
the war will be of very short duration and
that when 1t is terminated those who are
responsible for it will be called to ac-
count
Was Not at Home
MADRID. April 22.-This evening a
crowd 5000 strong, carrying flags and
shouting 'Viva Espana! 1--WE want
war!" and "Down with the Yankees!"
burned the Stars and Stripes in front of
the residence of Senior Sagasta, who was
accorded an ovation