The Indianapolis journal., 1898-05-07
SPEECHES IN THE CoRTES
APPEAL BY SENIOR MORET FOR A
SUSPENSION OF JUDGMENT.
Attempt to Make the Crown RespOn-
sibIe for the Reverse at Manila
Severely Denounced.

| LONDON, May IF Spain possessed as
many squadrons as runor credits her with
| she would be in a good way. To-days
| rumors talk Of a squadron off California,
another going to the relief of Manila and
| of third going to Porto Rico. The situa-
| ton in Spain is still grave. Riots are
reported from many points. The Vienna
| correspondent OF the Daily Telegraph says:
| 'All the reports that reach here from trust
| worthy quarters in Madrid agree that there
| is no doubt affairs in Spain are hurrying
| rapidly towards a grave crisis. Whatever
| exists, this point appears: The Carlists are
| increasing the difficulties of the situation,
| even to a higher degree than the republic
| ans. Not the slightest truth is attached to
the assurances of Don Carlos that he is sat-
| ting an example of quietness and inactiv-
| ity. On all hands it is thought here that
the next few days will bring ABOUT events
| that may change the entire situation in the
| Spanish Cabinet This result is now re-
| garded inevitable in those circles in Vienna
which are on an intimate footing with the
| Spanish Cortes. 1t is declared that, in
| spite of the revolutionary movement, which
seems to spread every hour in Spain, no
| fears are entertained for the personal safe
| ty of the Queen Regent or her son, nor is it
feared that they will be unable when
| suitable moment presents itself, to leave
| the country uninjured."
| Anxiety over the absence of news from
| Commodore Dewey was clearly reflected in
| the lobbies Of the British House of Com
mons last evening, where the general sub
| ject of conversation was the uncertainty as
| to Manila. Sinister speculations were in
! dulged in, and it was pointed out that there
| were trading steamers under the British flag
| in Manila bay on Sunday. AS apparently
| none of them left after the naval battle it
| looks as though they apprehended danger
| in passing out by Corregidor island They
can hardly be awaiting cargoes If the town
has been bombarded while there would be
plenty of foreigners in that event anxious
| to embark 1t is not believed that Commo-
| dore Dewey has met with disaster, but it is
the general opinion that he has encoun-
| tered unexpected resistance, and is not in a
| position to spare a vessel to carry dis
| patches Another suggestive explanation is
| that Commodore Dewey has not succeeded
| in obtaining control of the land telegraph
| lines to Bolinao connecting Manila with the
! Hong-Kong cables.
The stories of another Spanish fleet going
! to the Philippines are regarded here as
| simply ridiculous. 1t is considered extreme
| ly improbable that a naval battle will take
| place in the vicinity of Porto Rico early
| as Sunday as any attempt by Spain to en-
| gage in such conflict with a single squad
ron would be to court disaster. 1t is sup
| posed that the admiral of the Cape Verde
| squadron may be trying to draw the enemy
| toward a point where he could be REIN
| forced by the reserve ships from Cadiz, and
| where he would be fighting within easier
| reach of Spanish ports. Therefore. If there
| is to be any great battle 1T will be further
| westward than Porto Rico.
| Ths Madrid correspondent of the Morning
| Post says: There was never such coll
| lection of unknown brainless and servile in
| dividuals as the present majority in the
| lower house of the Spanish Parliament.
| Senior Sagasta has many hardships to con-
| tend against, but the worst is the stupidity
| of his following. Equally broken is the
| second reed, the fidelity of the army. The
army is faithful but it's fidelity is to Spain,
| not to the incapable who has handed her
| over powerless to her enemy. 1t is pitiful
| to think that Weyler now occupies a
| patriotic niche. His movements are closely
watched and it is not unlikely that he will
be arrested Such step, however, would
| only precipitate events, not prevent them.'
The Madrid correspondent of the Stand
ard saws: MANY Spanish generals with
considerable experience of Cuba whom
Senior Sagasta has consulted assure him
they are confident that Genera. Blanco in
| Cuba and Captain General Macias in Porto
Rico can hold on and make their respective
islands very uncomfortable for the invad-
ers as long as the supplies of stores and
munitions Of war last, even if the Americans
should meet with some success in the bonn
bardment of ports. The Spanish generals
have absolute confidence in their ability to
defeat the insurgents directly the latter
cease their guerilla warfare and come into
| the open upon the plains or near the
| cities They seem equally persuaded that
| their troops, seasoned with several years Of
| campaigning in Cuba will also face the
| Americans very creditably. Military men
| like the West Indian representatives, how
ever. look grave and preoccupied when the
| question of communication between the
| colonies and Spain and the duration of the
| blockade is mooted, and they do not deny
| that they think the Spanish navy must be
tho principal factor in sustaining the power
| of Spanish resistance to America and the
| insurgents
THE Spanish naval reserve at Manila,
| the sineularly slow movements of the
| SQUADRON lately at Cape Verde and the
| even slower mobilization Of the reserves of
the navy have caused much disappointment
| and exasperation all over Spain. These
| feelings are echoed by newspapers of every
| shade, in very severe articles against the
| government and the present and former
ministers of marine.
"Seven prominent deputies have laid on
| the table of the House motion OF censure
| and inquiry showing that Spain spent Es-
10000 in extraordinary naval estimates