The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-04-21
TO DEFEND SPANISH RIGHTS.
Queen Announces She Has Seized cortes
For That Purpose.

magnificent sight
All the wealth and beantu &c ,r.s..s
gathered in the Senate. whora a,or,,
available foot of space was occ,,ried
There was a terrific crush at the an.
trance leading to the senatorial se,+.
many of which were occupied bv ladies
The correspondent of the Associated
Press secured seat besides senior
Romero Robledo, the former minister of
Justice and conservative leader
Large bodies OF troops were drawn I'D
outside the building. 'p
The Queen Regent read the speech
from the throne.
The Queen Regents speech com
menced;
1.-THE grave anxieties which saddaped
my mind the last time I addressed Won
have increased and are heightened hv
public uneasiness. conveying the pre-
sentiment of fresh and graver commit
cation as a result of the turn which
events in Cuba have taken. These com
plications were brought about nv | !,
section of the people of the TTnited
States, who, seeing that the AUTONOMY
previously offered in my message Was
about to tbe put in force, foresaw that
the free manifestation of the Cuban peo-
pie, through its chambers, would fr,ls-
trate forever the schemes against Span-
ish sovereignty which have been plotted
by those who, with resources and homes
sent from the neighboring coast, have
fettered the suppression of the insurrec-
ton in that unhappy island Should the
government of the United States yield to
this blind current the menaces and in
suits which we have hitherto been able
to regard with Indifference flor thew
were aot an expression of the sentiments
of the true American nation) would be-
come intolerable provocations which
would compel my government in defense
of the national dignity to sever relations
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 counsels of peace
and prudence, to which my government
had no difficulty in hearkening, strong
in the consciousness of it's right. and
calm in the strict performances of it's
duties.''
Her Majesty added:
''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
pathy.''
Continuing. Her Majesty said; "possf-
bly,, however, the peace efforts may fail
to control the evil passions excited
against Spain. Lest this moment ar
rive, have summoned the Cortes to de-
fend out rights, whatever sacrifice they
may entail. Thus, identifying myself
with the nation, not only fulfil the oath
] swore in accepting the Regency, but I
follow the dictates of a mothers heart
trusting to the Spanish people to gather
behind my sons throne, and to defend it
until he is old enough to defend it him.
self, as we'll as trusting to the Spanish
people to defend the honor and territory
of the nation,''
The Queen Regent then referred to the
Philippine Islands, and continuing, said !:
Although a dark and gloomy future is
before us, the difficulties are not beyond
our powers. With our glorious army.
navy and united action before foreign
aggression, we trust in God that we
shall overcome without stain on our
honor, the baseless and unjust attacks
made upon u.s.
TO TRANSPORT TROOPS TO CUBA.
Washington, April 20.-Arrangements
are being made by the War Department
for the transportations of troops from
Southern ports to.Cuba and it is expect
ed that they will be perfected tomorrow,
or soon after. Col. A. s. Kimball, Chief
QuaItermaster of the Department of the
East, will open bids at New York today
for the charter of steam vessels for this
important. service.
Among the companies which have
offered vessels to the government for this
service are the following: Iron Steam
boat Company, four steamers: Plant Sys-
tenn, three steamers; Cape May and Del
aware Bay Navigation Company, one
steamer, New York and Texas Steam
ship Company, four steamers; and the
Southern Pacific Steamship Company,
four steamers. yaf.
EXPECT HELP FROM CUBANs.
Madrid, April 2o.-(5.15 .. m.)-Mar-
shal Lopez Doniguez in an interview, is
quoted as expressing confidence in the
4msroan n oree the Tss mn sso the
rine, Admiral Berme1o, ana Admirals
Beranger and Butler, declare the Span
ish people can thoroughly rely on the
bravery Of the Spanish fleets. The sena-
tors and deputies in the lobbies of par.
lament this evening talked most deter
minedly and declared the demands Of tn 9
United States would be energetioally re-
jected, and that all the war credits would
be voted without demur, the chamber
sitting all night long if necessary.
The utmost reticence is observed now
the movements of the Spanish
warships and in official circles here il is
said that the location Of the first naval
battle will be veritable surprise.
RED CROSS STEAMER TO SAIL.
New York, April 2O-It was said at the
office Of the Central Cuban Relief com
nittee today that the Mallory line steam
er State of Texas has been char tered to
carry the first shipload of relief supplies
to Cuba. She will leave New York for
Key West on Friday or Saturday flying
the Red Cross flag. II hostilities have
broken out before her arrival there she
will proceed to Havana under convoy,
according to the terms of the Geneva
treaty of 1864.
MILITARY BILL AMENDED.
Washington, April 20.-The bill drafted
at the war department. for temporarily
increasing the military establishment,
introduced in both houses yesterday, was
arnaD6Ad In covoral rosnoctc in tho Horro