The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1898-03-28
SPAIN STANDS FIRM.
Cannot Agree to Pay Any Sort of
Indemnity.

Madrid, March 2S.-Madrid is ringing
with patriotic outbursts
Spain has taken stand which is APP
parently not credited in the United
States. The government has given a de-
cison that 1t cannot consider the pay
ment of any claim for damages growing
out of the loss of the Maine. This de-
mand is considered by all as derogatory
TO national dignity.
Your correspondent is in a position to
state that this decision was communica-
ted yesterday 10 Minister Woodford by
SenOr Gullon.
After these decisions there can be lit
tie further parley between the two gov
ernments: il remains for the United
States to decide whether she will give
provocation. which Spain announces she
cannot pass unnotlced.
The entire country is unanimous in
support of the ministry. which, thus for
tilted, remains apparently calm, awaiting
the issue All talk about a divided coun-
try. owing to difference of politics, is
devoid Of foundation, and any assertion
that the Carlists are disloyal is as wide
of the truth as the silly statement that
the Southern States in the Union will
seize upon the nations difficulties 10 rise
again in rebellion.
SaEasta remains cool and reserved. like
one who has done all in his power
Gulon. while firmly believing in up
holding the dignity of the nation, is still
busy racking his brains TO suggest some
paaceable solution. lie is the most opti-
mistic member of the cabinet. Today he
would only say:
"I do not think the cause of peace is
entirely lost"
The ministry as a body is firm and calm
and prepared in every way to meet the
worst. and declining totaiIy 10 be rushed
or ratified. 1t cries peace. but regards
the policy of the United States as lead
ing directly to war. However. in the
words of a cabinet minister concerning
the attitude Of the government You see
us calm now: you will find us the same
at the end"
The vast preparations for war of the
United States make no impression here
as regards any determination for peace
or war In fact they flatter the vanity
Of the Spanards. who say: See how i'm
portant thev think u.s., Besides. it will
rebound ltually much more to the
tradition. .Onor Of the Spaniards to
have fought against foe which thought
necessary SUCH tlstDOTdLt DItlidEd dllbllS.
a summary Of the verdict of the Maine
disaster reached here yesterday, and.
although handed in by Minister Wood
ford. no cabinet council was called; and
little interest was shown in it, probably
because the Spaniards have already
made up their minds in the matter. name
ly, that the explosion was accidental, and
all other versions untrue.
One Of the signs Of the times is the
large sums of money that are being col
lected in former Spanish colonies. which
look upon war as inevitable. These sums
are given for patriotic purposes. From
Argentina the minister of marine has
received large sum- and an individual
Spaniard in Mexico has given 10000 pc
setas \ performance is being organ
lied TO the same end in the Royal The
ater. Five thousand pesetas are talked
OF as the price for boxes and 500 pesetas
for stalls. one patriot, Marquis de VII
iamejor. offered 250000 pesetas, too, for
his box. In this way large sums are
expected from all over the country and
colonies.
Gen. Woodford. acting upon his in
structions. is using what powers he can
toward mending hourly the increasing
rent in the diplomatic cloth.
That United States Naval Attache Dy-
er has sent his family away. is much
commented upon. Minister Woodford
still keeps his family here.
Gen. De Riviera, commanding in the
Philippines. has donated 100 900 piastres.
subscribed by his admirers in the Phil
ippines, to increasing the strength of the
navy.