Evening star., 1898-04-01
Gen. Woodford, However, Regards the
Situation With Foreboding.
DEMONSTRATION At TEE OPERA
A Million Pesetas Raised at Last
Nights Performance.
PAROXYSM OF PATRIOTISM

MADRID. April I. 1 p. m.-According to
the best information obtainable today Spain
has definitely resolved not to make any
further concessions to the United States.
The Spanish government, however. pro-
fesses to take a bright view of the relations
with the United States. and believes peace
is secured. The important newspapers
comment on the note In this strain.
But inquiries made last evening Of the
United States minister. General Stewart L.
Woodford, failed to secure anything con-
firming the optimistic impressions prevail
ing here. He has so earnestly been the
friend of peace throughout that his i'm
penetrable silence now. causes much anxie-
ty in diplomatic circles.
General Woodford was busy at the
United States legation until late last night.
The substance of yesterdays proposals
of the Spanish government, the Associated
Press correspondent learns. is:
Text of the Proposals.
1. That the insurgents should ask for an
armistice. and not the United States.
g That the request for an armistice
should be dealt with by the autonomist
cabinet Of Cuba and without the interven-
1t is curious to note how little interest
the general public took in yesterdays i'm
portant conference. Only few reporters
witnessed the arrival and departure of the
conferees.
General Woodford was the first to
emerge, and, smoking a cigar. he walked
quietly to his residence The ministers
soon followed and drove separately to rheir
homes
When informed Of the proposed COVER.
ment measures for the relief of the recon-
centrados, the queen regent announced that
she would appoint ladies' committee. over
which she will personally preside, to take
charge OF and educate the orphans Of the
war. both Cubans and Spaniards.
A. midnight workman from Bilbao ar
rived at the box Office of the Royal Opera
House. where the performance to raise
funds for the Spanish navy took place, and
presented 500 pesetas a subscription to
the national fund. He refused to give his
I anne, simply replying that he had fought
in two Carl st wars and the first campaign
in Cuba. 1t is proposed to bestow the title
of grandee upon this workman.
According to the scheme for the national
subscription, every well-to-do Spaniard is
expected to contribute LOCO pesetas and
upward, and it is calculated that a million
Spaniards will subscribe the amount named.
Patriotism at the Opera.
The display of patriotic fervor at the
Royal Opera last night was really thrill
ing. The whole assemblage, numbering
about 1900 persons, was profoundly i'm
pressed The queen regent, who was ac-
companied by the Princess of Asturias
and the Infanta Isabella, was the object
of repeated ovations.
Most Of the younger ladies, especially
those belonging to the ranks of the aris-
tocracy, wore ribbons of the national coll
crs in their hair. When the orchestra
played the national hymn a wave of in
tense enthusiasm swept over the assem-
blage. The queen, the princesses, the min
listers, the grandees, every one, In fact.
rose spontaneously and gave vent to a
great shout of Long live Spain," followed
by shouts Of Long live the queen" Long
live the queen.
ParOxysm Of Patriotism.
On the stage the chorus was composed
of the leading singers Of Spain, with whom
were grouped the principal musicians.
painters and artists of the country, while
the orchestra was reinforced by military
bands in full uniform.
In the midst of the air two regiments Of
infantry marched in single file across the
stage and so appeared to be an endless
body of men, whereupon the national an
them was sung again and the audience
ciamored for the national banner
Then some one on the stage took down a
flag from the wings OF the stage, and II
was hofsted on high by a group of actors
who bore II to the middle of the stage
This direct appeal to the national sentiment
evoked a stupendous demonstration which
seemed endless. At length the queen rose
to leave and the orchestra played the royal
march. which caused the applause to re-
commence. all the ladies Joining In Il
acclaiming the beautiful queen and waving
handkerchiefs, while the men rapturously
cheered her majesty.
As the ovation continued the queen was
compelled to return to the front of the
royal box half dozen times and bow her
Acknowledgements Of the applause Her
majesty was unable to conceal her emotion.
It was generally remarked that, In spite
Of the occasion and the intensity OF the pa
triotic excitement. no single cry was heard
against the United States. The perform
ance lasted until after am, and It Il the
general opinion that such q scene was
never before Witnessed In 0nn1n. The re-
ceipts are estimated to have reached . NIL
Hon pesetas.
m Laberars Csnnens.
Ths most important comment on the sit