Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1898-04-19
SPANISH SPEECH FROM THE THRONE
Summary of What Correspondent Says
the Document VIII Say.

London, April 1a.-The Madrid CORE
spondent Of The Daily Mail telegraph
ing at 10 o'clock last evening says:
During the day the outlook has become
much worse, and very gloomy views are
generally entertained. a few persons.
more optimistic than the majority. trust
that in a few days time the prevailing
tension may be lessened. 1t is the gen
eral belief, however. that a rupture is
imminent. The cabinet council met at
O'Clock this afternoon. The session
lasted three hours. Senior Sagasta, the
premier, submitted a draft of the speech
from the throne. It's tenor is not pre-
cisely known, though it makes an appeal
to the highest patriotism of the ma
ton.
1t summarizes the International
problem and points out that Spain has
always presented an accommodating
front in everything which did not di-
Elin:sh her sovereignty, though she
only agreed to grant a cessation Of
fostilities in Cuba when the pope made
his request and the powers Joined in
ccurseing it. The speech appeals to the
SIs nish people to rally around the
young king, save the country, and to
grant to the government everything
which may be necessary and urgent to
defend the national honor and integrity.
/ am informed that although the speech
is now definitely drawn up it may still
he modified, but in any case Senior
Sagasta will tomorrow morning deliver
it - the queen regent, who will open
Parliament accompanied by the king
ard the Infanta Isabel.
The cabinet today discussed various
dispatches relating to the Cuban ques-
ton and the attitude of the United
States. Senior Moret, secretary for the
ccionies, read dispatch from General
Blanco containing unfavorable news in
regard to the attitude of the Cuban
rebels. 1t seems that when the Ameri-
can senate commenced the discussion
of and voted in favor of the recognition
of Cuban independence the rebels aban-
doned their intention of yielding to
Spain in return for a broader measure
of autonomy, and there is a general
popular distrust here as to any out
come of thenegotiations with the rebels.
News respecting the progress of events
in America is anxiously awaited. but in
any case the government will maintain
a firm attitude and will act ener-
getically''
The Madrid CORE pondent of The
Standard says: The publication of the
Maine disaster report by the Spanish
commission of inquiry gives great salts
faction. 1t is hoped that this will dis
pei, at least In Europe, all doubts as to
the purely accidental character of the
explosion. 1t asserts positively that
there were no signs-such as dead fish
injury to other vessels. the quays. etc
such as must have existed IL the cause
OF explosion had been external. The
report even invokes American testi-
money. given early after the catas-
trophe, which strengthens the Spanish
! official conclusions as to the decidedly
accidental character OF the calamity.
Outside this document / may repeat
the oeIials already made by General
Wey,er and Marshal Campos that mines
or ether defenses were laid in the Ha-
vana harbor. With reference to Ad-
mirsl Beranger's statement that he
sent mines to Cuba am able To asser,
on high authority from the marine min
istry tina. auch defenses were never
laid down. ard that tlse naval and mill
tary authorities at Havana positively