Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1898-04-21
To Defend the Honor Of Their Ma
tion and Their Flag.
SPEECH OF THE QUEEN REGENT.

begS the COrteS to sanction the I'M
aiterabIe Resolution of MY Govern
ment to Defend Our Rights. What
soever Sacrifices May Be Imposed. -
Madrid, April 21.-The opening of the
Spanish cortes yesterday was. a mag
nificent sight. All the wealth and
beauty of Madrid gathered in the SEN
ate, where every available foot of
space was occupied There was a ter
rife crush at the entrance leading to
the senatorial seats. many of which
were occupied by ladies. Large bodies
of troops were drawn UP outside the
building.
A wild cheer, at 2:30 p. M, announced
the arrival of the queen regent, who
was driven to the cortes palace in a |
state coach, escorted by a detachment
of life guards. The cheering was taken
up within the building as the queen re-
gent entered The queen regent read
the speech from the throne while seat
ed, with the young king, Alfonso, on
her right and the premier, Senior Sa-
gasta, standing near the king. Her
majesty's words were inaudible to ali
but those in her immediate vicinity.
At the close of her majestys speech
there was renewed cheering, after
which Premier Sagasta declared the
cortes opened, and the queen regent
and the boy king, accompanied by the
court, left the building amid another
wild burst of enthusiasm.
The queen regents speech was in
part as follows:
''The grave anxieties which saddened
my mind the last time / addressed you
have increased, and are heightened by
public uneasiness, conveying the pre-
sentiment of fresh and greater compli-
cations as result of the turn which
events in Cuba have taken. These
complications were brought about by a
section of the people of the United
States, which, seeing that the autono-
my previously offered in my message
was about to be put in force, foresaw
that the free manifestation of the Gu
ban people, through its chambers,
would Illustrate forever the schemes
against Spanish sovereignty which have
been plotted by those who, with re-
sources and hopes sent from the neigh
boring coast, have fettered the suppress
sion of the insurrection in that unhap-
py island. Should the government OF
the United States yield to this blind
current the menaces and insults which
we have hitherto been able to regard
with Indifference for they were not an
expression of the sentiments of the
true American nation, would compel
my government, in defense of the ma
tional dignity, to sever relations with
the government of the United States.
''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, 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 manifested,
may serve to restrain the passions and
hatred let loose against the Spanish
fatherland.
SIN anticipation of this critical mo-
ment, when reason and justice will
have for their support only Spanish
courage and the traditional energy
of our people. 1 have hastened the
assembling OF the cortes. and the su.
preme decision of parliament win
QOuDC10SS SancUlOn Cn0 unalC0raOi0
resolution of my government TO de-
fend our rights, whatsoever sacrifices
may be imposed upon us in accom-.
plishing this task.''
Marshal Lopez Dominguez, in an in
terview, is quoted as expressing con-
fidence in the Cubans joining the Span
iards against the American forces.
In a speech to his party supporters
on Tuesday Senior Sagasta said:
ssSpain will not allow a parcel of her
territory to be taken from her with
impunity; nor will she be party to
any traf1icking for her possessions
Miss Woodford and the remaining la
dies of the United States legation here,
accompanied by Lieutenant Dyer
left by the night train for Paris, where
Mrs. Woodford now is. General Wood
ford thought it would be better not to
accompany the ladies to the station,
thus avoiding attracting publicity to
their withdrawal.
Minister Woodford's own withdrawal
from the Spanish capital is contingent
upon the governments answer to the
presidents ultimatum. This was re-
ceived by Minister Woodford at mid
night, but the minister decided not to
present it until today. 1t is expected
that prompt answer will be returned,
and that the minister will leave before
night to join his family in Paris.