The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-07-27
SPANS GREAT CRISIS.
Gloomy Picture of the Situation
Throughout the Peninsula


NEW YORK, July ga dispatch to the
Tribune from Paris says: 1.-The cast-iron
severity of the Spanish censorship prevents
the exact situation at Madrid from being
disclosed except through private channels.
Any newspaper correspondent at Madrid
suspected of even limiting at the true state
OF affairs now known to prevail there would
be imprisoned or expelled. Under these
circumstances grave Importance attaches
to Madrid letter of Saturdays date re-
ceived here to-day by a French diplomatist
well known on both sides Of the Atlantic.
The Tribune correspondent is unfortunately
not at liberty to mention the name of the
writer of the letter, whose opportunities for
ascertaining the truth at Madrid are I'M
surpassed, but is authorized to cable the
following summary of it's contents:
- Madrid, Saturday, July g.
me situation is far more critical than at
any previous time since the war began. On
the surface the habitual indifference of all
classes of the people TO the national disas-
tiers seems to continue. Social entertain
ments, popular amuSementS and bull fights
go on as merrily ever, but this apparent
apathy is merely superficial. The slightest
incident may at any moment precipiIate a
crisis and plunge the country into revolu-
ten. The news which reached here Thurs
day OF the postponement of the departure
OF Watson's squadron is regarded as a
definite abandonment of that expedition
and causes an immense relief to the Span
lSh Cabinet. The work of defending the
SeaportS nevertheless continues, and two
transports with troops and heavy guns ar
rived yesterday at the Canaries.
Sagasta is now powerless either to carry
on the war effectively or to declare peace
The question of the war is thrown in the
background by the urgency of dynastic con-
S1derat1onS and by measures to avert mil
itary pronunciamento backed by a popular
uprising. The Specter of revolution has mo-
mentarily restrained the Carlists In the
northern provinces, but has forced Sagasta
to put his whole trust in the leaders OF the
army The generals are absolute masters
at Madrid and are likely to cast aside Sa-
gasta, as they have no further use for him.
as the most efficient branch of the military
service and has always been early in TAX
ing an active part in any republican move
ment TO overturn dynasty. To-day the
entire artillery force of the garrison of Mad
rid is openly hostile to the government, and
tainly refuse to do so and would fraternize
with the insurgents. Several infantry reg
iments, when the emergency arises, are also
ready to follow the example of the artillery
THE disafection of the army increases
day by day Officers of every grade accuse
war and charge them above all with GRIM
inal neglect in failing to supply the Santi-
ago force with food and ammunition Gen.
Polavieja, a thoroughly honest, loyal sol
der OF the old school, whose devotion to the
Queen Regent is beyond reproach, has had
and the leaders of the opposition. Pola-
vieja is the last hope of the dynasty. This
blunt but genial soldier still retains q GER
tain influence with the army, but those who
ought TO know best say that when the time
comes no can no more stem the popular tide