The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-03-21

pedo boats and destroyers must be taker
as merely destined to satisfy public opin-
ion here to the effect that Spain has not
yielded to any American threats.
Under any circumstances, the Cabinet
cannot, in view of public sentiment, aHord
either to recall the first torpedo squadron
from the CanarieS, to keep 1t there IN
definitely. Indeed, unless il proceeds on
its way 20 Havana before the next three
or four Gays are. passed, the present Cap-
met will be overthrown.
On the other hand, If the United States
has really made a peremptory demand that
the torpedo fotilla should be kept on this
side of the Atlantic. and has threatened to
stop it by force If it attempts to cross the
Atlantic, then the point will have been
reached where the Sagasta Cabinet viii
have to finally choose between the alterna-
tive of war or resignation
1t must be thoroughly understood that the
people here will not consent to any conces-
sion TO the United States which they con-
slider inconsistent with their national dig
nifty. They were determined in this matter
from the very outset of the trouble, but
during the past week they have, thanks TO
Sobral and ex-Minister De Lone. become SO
convinced of the reluctance of the United
States to fight, that they are less inclined
to give way to American demands, and are
more uppish, arrogant and unyielding than
ever.
The government is evidently fighting off
the inevitable from day to day by means
of stories. cunningly circulated tending to
the belief that it is the United States tn ina
This deception cannot be kept up indefinite
~. Sooner or later the crisis must come,
when the people will discover that they
have been deceived, as usual by Sagasta,
and then the sense of deception Will be so
acute that they will rise, as they have done
so often before, and drive the Liberal CAP
met out of office. Anything sooner than
shame or national dishonor. If the people
believed for one moment that there is any
danger of the latter, they Will throw over
not only Sagasta, but likewise the throne
of the Queen Regent and of the little King.
Meanwhile the press continues to manlIest
tic anf1fe for hat &c
scribe as Yankee bombast." Yesterday
my attention was attracted in the street TO
a caricature representing an American
gentleman Haunting in the eyes of ladies:
manifestly of doubtful reputation, bags or
bogus dollars, the meaning being that Amer
icas threats of war were merely empty
talk. But while this feeling prevails among
the people 1 do not think that it does among
the members of the government, or the
looked very grave and concerned, leading TO
the belief that, from a Spanish point or
view, war is far more imminent between the
two countries than appears on the surface
The Queens health is beginning to tell
under the terrible strain of nervous anxiety
to which she has been subjected ever since
she returned from San Sebastian. OF course,
she remembers that it was she herself who
turned out of office the Conservative add
miniStration, on the ground that 1t had
shown itself incapable to deal with the Gu
ban question, and had moreover rendered
itself guilty of incredible cruelty and bar
barity toward the Anarchists. vt was the
first time since she became regent that she
had ever taken upon herself the respon-
Sbility of diSmisSing q Cabinet which was
at the time in possession of a parliamentary
majority in the national legislature. In fact
she was guilty of an infraction of the Con-
Stitution.
No one would have said anything except
a few disgruntled Conservatives had the
Liberals done any better in Cuba. Unfor-
tunately, they have only made matters very
much worse indeed, and have brought the
country into such a position that there is
no doubt that it is face to face with
war with the United States, which can but
result in victory for the latter.
In the end it is she who will, as for
eigner have to bear the entire brunt or
blame and responsibility and even her nus
bands relatives, especially his sisters, who
have always resented her possession or the
regency, will do all in their power to make
her the scapegoat of all Spains troubles.
Even now people here who were originally
against Weyler are beginning to blame her
for recalling him, declaring that the no.
tions of humanity were altogether mis-
incapable of understanding what they de-
scribe as Cosas Espanas.
While IT is just possible that her son, 10
whose interest she has devoted her entire
throne on attaining his majority, four years
hence, there is much reason to apprenend
that she will, long before that time, nave
been deprived of the regency, which, &C
cording to the constitution, should belong
10 the minor Sovereign'S nearest Spanish
relative Princess Isabella, the ultra Con-
sentative eldest sister of the late King, has
always insisted that it was she VINO was
in consequence of this entitled to the re-
gency: and. had she been Regent the Lib
erals would certainly never nave oeen IN
power, and Weyler would be still in Cuba,
and people here are now convinced that, IN
that case, he would have successfully
crushed the insurrection.