The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-04-02
Coast DefenSeS in an Efficient
State,
HOPING FOR EUROPEAN HELP
Russia and France Said to Have
Asked Information.

London. April 2, a. ma special dis
patch from Madrid says United States
Minister Woodford is making the neces-
sary preparations to leave Madrid imme-
diately in the event of a diplomatic rup-
ture.
The Madrid correspondent of the Daily
Mail says Spain acting on the prinei-
pie, Isl Wis pacem para bellum, Qf you
wish peace prepare for war;, continues her
preparations for possible hostilities with
America. The coast defenses of the Pc
nlnsular are in an efficient state. rather
more so than two years ago when the
seizure of the Competitor by Lieut. Gen.
Weyler brought the two countries to the
verge of hostilities. these defenses were
inspected by an eminent Spanish general;
and the necessary works have gone quiet
ly on ever since.
1T is publicly announced that the Mar
quis Cornillas, President of the Spanish
transatlantic Line, whose vessels ply to
Cuba, West Africa and South America.
has placed his entire fleet at the disposal
of the government. Like those of several
nations, the steamers of this line can be
converted into cruisers
"The buying of warships by the United
States causes no uneasiness in this coun-
try GSpain). The few offered for sale were
rejected by Spain on technical grounds,
and, beside, the Washington authorities,
with their appropriation of S5O,OOO,OOO came
rather too late into the market to get good
value for their money
THE ceremony of hoisting the Spanish
flag on the steel twin-screw schooner
yacht Giralda Formerly the property Of
Mr.. H. L. b. McCalmonD, was celebrated
at Barcelona two days ago by the com
mander and officers of the Spanish gun
boat Pillar.
THE Giralda, with her guns. viii be
ready for action in a very few days.
Besides the two battalious of infantry
ana the battalion of engineers ordered 10
the Canaries, half battalion OF artillery
and a regiment of marines win be sent
there. The bishop of the Canary Islands,
in sympathy with the patriotic movement
in Spain, Is preparing his palace and SEM
mary buildings for conversion into bar
racks and lodgings for the troops about
10 be sent. One of the regiments OF ma
rines expected from the Philippines will
be sent to Porto Rico, with artiilorymen
and additional infantry and possibly sonie
guns
pforoaVoanta or al oh 10 I,o
sent to strengthen the garrlsons of the
Spanish possessions In North Africa,
though they are strong enough already;
as these posts have an exclusively milI-
tary character and are always considered
as in a state of war
Special attention Is also being paid to
the Philippines. The standing army sent
there 10 put down the instruction will be
maintained, though not many weeks ago
1t was proposed to send part Of Il back TO
Spain. The Philippine residents Of Mad
rid have sent an address to the govern
ment Offering to return 10 Manila and TO
organize there native volunteer regiments
TO be commanded by Spanish officers of
the regualr army"
The Times says, edltorfally, this morn
ing: There is much to sympathize with In
the-atutude of both Spain and America. It
is easy TO see how two proud nations
without many bonds of traditional or So
cial sympathy. may find themselves in-
volved before they fully realize the perlls
In the grim realities of war.
1T is not unnaturally suspected that
Spain's reply to the United States Is a de-
vice to gain time and 10 defer the war TO
the malarious season in Cuba. II Cuba
could attain any form of respecta bic gov
ernment under the Spanish flag Il would
be the best thing that could happen, both
for herself and her neighbors; but there
is scarcely a gleam OF hope that this solu-
tion Is now possible"
The Daily Mail says: Every lover OF
liberty will wish the war as short as Il Is
sure 10 be decisive. The United States
can gain nothing for themselves by fight
ing Spain, unless It be an addition 70 their
honorable record as the apostles of free
dom. IL is a mere commonplace to say
how great Is England's anxiety for Ameri-
can success"
The Daily Graphic says: WAR may be
regarded as inevitable within a very few
weeks. A conclliatory form OF spain's re-
fusa1 Of the American demands can only
produce a short delay Few reasoning
people will question the wisdom Of The
United States In the course they have
adopted. Spain has had her chance ana
lost II"
The Madrid correspondent OF the Stand
ard says: Both United states Minister