The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-05-04
Attempt Being Made to Suppress the Outward Signs
Of Military Severity Ministers Blamed For the
Crushing Defeat at Man'a--A Cabinet Crisis Ad-
mhted TO Be Near at Hand--The Proclamation Of
Martial Law Troops to Be Sent to Support Dewey.

ply, which was loudly applauded by q
large majority OF the chamber. He be-
gan by deploring the fact that the Span
iards were not united "in the present
circumstances when the country is in
volved in a war forced upon it," II II
were ever criminal TO attack the father
land. he said, IL was surely more so now.
Eulogizing the men who had fallen in
battle. he declared II imperative that
Spaniards should show themselves ener-
getic. and he appealed to all parties to
unite. He begged the chamber to adopt
the necessary war credit. II ask it,
he said. ''in the name OF the soldiers and
in the name OF the fatherland."
The Republicans and Carlists greeted
Sagasta with angry denunciations,
shaking their fists and giving other
marks of disapproval. while the Repub-
licans and monarchists exchanged hot
recriminations. The debate itself fell
short of expectations. Sagasta, in re-
serving the desired explanations, de-
prived II of interest. The heads of all
political sections promised not to OPP
pose any measure the government re-
qured to conduct the war
The chief interest attached to the
speech of Joseph Canalejas, who de-
clared that he belonged TO no political
party and could speak with entire in
dependence. The editor of The Herald
severely criticised the unpreparsdness of
the government. He learned while on
his visit to America and Cuba that the
Americans meant war and were rapidly
preparing for 1t. being perfectly ac-
quainted with SPANS means of attacl.
and defence: but, he said. had the Span
ish government not been so yielding ana
had II confronted the Yankees with a
powerful army the Americans would
never have gone to war. He considered
1t preferable to give Cuba independence
to embarking on q foreign war without
proper preparation.
1t Is believed that the government in
tends 70 close parliament the moment
the budget is voted. A proposal To
vote censure upon the government is
likely to produce warm debatee. The
minority. though small. Is In possession of
trains far above the average OF the dep
uties.
A Carlist read letter from Manila to
the effect that no kind OF defenses ex-
listed there. General Correa, minister
OF war. declared that the enemy would
never set foot in Manila. as the garrison
was strong enough to repulse them Ad-
iniral BermejO explained the technical
impossibility" OF establishing defcrsos
In Manila bay.
in the senate. Admiral Beranger, after
an eloquent eulogy of the seamen who
had died at Manila, offered his services
to the government Internationally.
FOL n
against the breach of international law
involved in the capture of Spanish ships
by the United States warships before
war had been declared. and character
lied Americas conduct as amounting to
piracy.
The minister Of the interior explained
that state OF siege had been declared
because certain elements had sought to
turn the misfc-tunes of the country to
their own advantage by trying to arouse
political passions.
Marshal Campos offered the govern
ment his unconditional support.