The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1898-04-30
SPEECH FROM THE THRONE
SPANS QUEEN REGENT TO HEr
PEOPLE.
Declares Her Course is Just and the
Army and Navy Equal to the Diff
culties.

MADHlD, April 2l.-lhe queen hs-
gents speech from the throne at She
assembling of the Cortes in extraor-
binary session, today, was in the
main as follows:'
The grave anXieties which saddened
my mind the last time I addressed you
have increased and are heightened by
public uneasiness, conveying the pre-
sentiment. of fresh and greater com
plications as result of the turn
which events in Cuba have taken.
These complications were brought
about by a section of the people in
the United States, which. seeing that
the autonomy previously offered in
my message was about to be put in
force. foresaw that the free manifes-
tation of the Cuban people, through
the schemes against Spanish soverei-
gnty, which have been plotted by
those who. with the scources and the
hopes sent from the neighboring
coast. have fettered the suppression of
the instruction in that unhappy is
, land.
Should the government of the Unit
ed States yield to this blind current,
the menaces and insults which we
have hitherto been able to regard with
indifference-fo they were not an ex-
preston of the sentiments of the true
American nation-would become in
tolerable provocations which would
compel my government, in defense of
the national dignity, to severed rela-
tons with the Government of the
United States.
In this supreme crisis the sacred
voice of him who represents human
Justice on earth was raised in coun-
sells of peace and prudence, to which
my government had no difficulty in
hardening, strong in the conscious
ness of its right, and calm in the very
strict performance of its duties.
Spain's gratitude is due to the Pope
and also to the great powers, whose
action strengthens my conviction that
| Spain's cause deserves universal SYM
patty and that her conduct merits
unanimous approval. 1t is possible,
however, that an act of aggression is
/ imminent, and that not the sanctity
of our rights nor the moderation of
our conduct, nor the expressed wish
of the Cuban people, freely manifest
ed. may serve to restrain the passions
and hatred let loose against the Span
ish fatherland.
In anticipation of the critical mo-
ment, when reason and justice will
have for their support only Spanish
courage and the traditional energy of
our people, have FASTENED the assem-
bling of the Cortes and the supreme
decision of my government to defend
our rights, with whatsoever sacrifices
may be imposed upon us in accom-
plishing this task.
Possibly, however, the peace efforts
may fail to control the evil passions
existing against Spain. Lest this mo
ment arise, have summoned the Cor
ties to defend our rights, whatever sac
rifice they may entail. Thus identi
flying myself with the nation, I MOI
only fulfill the oath I swore in accep
ting the regency, but follow the die
tates of a mothers heart, trusting t
the Spanish people to gather behinf
my sons throne and defend it unit
he is old enough to defend it himself
as well as trusting to the Spanish
people to defend the honor and tht
territory of the nation.
Although dark and gloomy future
is before us, the difficulties are not be
You'd our power. With our glorious
army and navy, and the united ma
ton before foreign aggression, W,
trust in God that we shall overcom,
without stain on our honor, the base
less and unjust ttacks made upoI
us.