Evening journal., 1898-05-04


salmeron said that before questioning
the government the house ought TO ray
IT'S tribute OF admiration TO spains he
role sailors at Cavlte. adding. when IL
has been ascertained how much blood
has been shed and how much money ex-
pended, IL win De necessary TO establish
the responsibility attaching to the crown
as well as TO the least citizen"
Murmurs of protest followed this re-
mark. The president Of the chamber
called Senior Salmeron to order and di-
Eected his attention TO the article of the
constitution declaring the inviolability
Of the crown. Senior Salmeron continu-
ed. demanding information as to the
defenses In Manila bay and insisting
that this was the question which should
be discussed. After the government had
given its explanation he proceeded to
critcise the monarchial governments OF
the last half century, notably that Of
the Restoration, declaring that they
were responsible for the present situa-
ton.
Scnor Silvela interposed I'VE are now
threatened with an impotent Dictator
ship inspired by the genius OF the dis
ciples Of Loyalo," remark which pro-
vo5ed protests from the Conservative
benches.
Senor Salmeron renewed his demands
for an explanation of the cause Of the
reverse the fleet had sustained. Just
Mt this moment General Weyler entered
the chamber and seated himself be-
tween the Republican and Carlists
groups. Salmeron continued. deploring
the unpatriotic attitude of the Con-
servatlves and attributing the coun-
try's Ills to the worn out regime un-
der which we live" He concluded: 1--WE
expend millions to maintain the mon
archy, but have not enough to buy
ironclads. Whoever will destroy the ex-
listing regime VIII be a great patriot"
This declaration was received with loud
Conservative protests
Senior Sagasta made n determined re-
ply. which was loudly applauded by a
large majority Of the chamber. He be-
gan by deplorng the fact that the Span
iards were not united "in the present
circumstances, when the country is in
volved I'm a war forced upon it," If il
were ever criminal to attack the Fa-
therland he said, it was surely more
so now. Eulogizing the men who had
fallen I'm battle, he declared IT impera-
tive that Spaniards should show them
selves energetic, and he appealed 10 all
parties to unite. He begged the cham
her TO adopt the necessary war credit.
Il ask IT," he said, "in the name of the
soldiers and in the name OF the Father
land"
The Republicans and Carlists greeted
Senor Sagasta with angry denuncia-
tions, shaking their fists and giving
other marks of disapproval while the
ed hot recriminations.- But the debate
Itself fell short of expectations. Senior
Sagasta's reserving the desired expla-
nations deprivlng 1t of interest.
The heads OF all political sections
promised not TO oppose any measures
The government required to conduct the
war.
The chief interest attached to the
speech of senor Jose Canalejas. who de-
'lared that he belonged to no political
party and could speak with entire inde-
pendence The editor OF lei Heraldo Sc
verely criticised the unpreparedness of
the government. He said that he learn
ed while on his visit to America and
Cuba that the Americans meant war
and We're rapidly preparing for it. being
perfectly acquainted with Spain's
means of attack and defense; but, he
said, had the Spanish government not
been so yielding and had It confronted
/ the Yankees with a powerful army tho
! Americans would never have gone {,
war. He said he considered IL prefera-
I bic TO give cuba independence TO EN-
bnrking on n foreign war without prop.
| cr preparations.
/ with reference to the Manila catas.
/ trOphe lei Nacional says:
"a good battery on Corregidor island
with great renectors and guns capable
| OF sweeping the sea for miles around
would have kept the American squad
ron out Of the bay In Corregidor ther,
were only few wretched guns takeI
from the warships a few days before
| This Is the truth. Our sailors have beer
! basely delivered over to the grapesho
Of the Yankees a fate nobler and NOR,
worthy OF respect than those banefu
ministers who brought about the frs
victory and it's first victims"
/