Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-04-01
MADRID PESSIMISTIC.
PRESS SOMEWHAT IN THE DARK
but URGING NO SURRENDER.
NO HOPE OF FURTHER DELAY.
Belief That Conflict Is Near-sagasta
Expresses Doubt About Maintain
ing Peace-Polo Reports Anti-span-
fsh Feeling in This Country.

matters: but we doubt IT.
The paper then adds: I'VE ought
apply ourselves to obtaining n gain {
time. Jr heartily devote ourselves to tn
contrary. In our opinion. It would be az
ceptable-even preferable-to accept an
extreme measure which would cut n
knot, II we fail to unite It. The stuatio
Is such that by avoiding external strug
gle, we fall into still graver one.'
FL Liberal concludes by calling upo
the Ministry to identify itself with tn
unanimous feeling Of the country; I
place before everything the primary in
terest of the nation, and proceed wit
discretion and GOODNESS, but. at the sam
time, with undaunted frmness, $50
there is limit which Spain cannot ant
will not overstep-that limit is marke
by the respect it owes the world and III
own sovereignty"
CONFLICT NEAR.
The impartial independently says
Despite the hopes of the last few days
IL is now believed that conflict is near
| whatever may be thought. President Me
Kinley cannot change. The nerves OF
Spaniards are being hardened to resist
cooly the consequences of this danger
We are all Spaniards; our mission is to
save the national honor, and It remain:
with the government TO take ener-
| getic steps.
1T is urgent that we should prepare
| warships and send them to Cuba. The
| cruisers Cristobal Colon and Princessa de
| Asturias and the Destructor. now at
Cadiz. should start as soon as possible,
and the first-class ironclads Pelayo and
Emperador Carlos v. should follow
promptly.
'"rhe United States, which, during the
delicate and strained relations between
the two countries, has sent ships to our
waters. or ereabouts, cannot complain
at our sending a squadron to our own
waters"
The article concludes by counseling the
people to be calm. and not TO embarrass
the government "in its difficult and tick
fish task"
FL Pals Republcan) characterizes
the statement regarding the reconcen-
trados i'm Cuba as a fable, and declares
that the United States could not inter-
vene without provoking the protests of
Europe, nor seize the Maine disaster as
pretext for war without scandalizing the
world. Therefore. that government had
adopted 'humanitarlanism as a means
TO cloak its sinister designs
The semi-officia Globo says 1t Is the
general opinion that. 1--WE are approach
ing rapidly the end OF the struggle. Fore
warned against evil, we nevertheless still
hope for the best"
AGAINST UNITED STATES TERMS.
At the conference yesterday between
Senior Sagasta, the Premier, and Senior
Gamazo and Senior Silvela, the leader of
the dissident Conservatives, the Premier
unfoded the terms proposed by the
United States Minister, General Stewart
l.. Woodford, and the opposition leaders
cGunselled their rejection. Senior Sagasta
replied that personally he was not dis
posed to accede to them. He added that
he would like to submit the question OF
the loss of the Maine. which was not
touched upon at his conference with Cen
eral Woodford, TO the European Powers.
The feeling in Madrid to-day is pessi
mistic. The newspapers here are ignor-
ant Of the actual proposals of the United
States, but are urging no surrender. The
Heraldo independently and the Nacionai
Conservative oppose even the suggested
armistce. and the Correo 0dberaD makes
a furious appeal TO Don Carlos.
Ell Liberal Moderate Republican, says
dispatch from Senior Polo Bernabe,
the Spanish Minister at Washington, was
read Yesterday at the Cabinet Council,
giving his impression of the feeling in
America, which, he declares, is I'm no way
favorable to Spain He points out that |
the Maine report was only referred to the |
Foreign Relations Committee with great |
difficulty, as 1877 Republicans voted for its |
immediate appreciation. without waiting |
for the Spanish report"
This proposal" adds Senior Bernabe, |
was rejected; but the jingoes appeared |
to be greatly annoyed"
Senior Sagasta, the Premier. in an in
tervew to-day. declared he would do |
everything possible to maintain peace; |
but" he added. I'VE cannot submit to
any attack on the honor or integrity OF |
the country"
MONEY FOR THE NAVY.
The rush for seats for the performance
at the Royal Theatre in behalf Of the |
Spanish navy increases. The Queen has
paid $1,000 pesetas S9.75O for a box, the
Spanish ministry paid $1,000 pesetas for |
boxes, several capitalists are taking
stalls at 10000 pesetas each. the Countess
Bornes paid 10000 pesetas. the Marquis
f. Laguna paid 25,OCO pesetas. the Bank
Of Spain paid 10000 pesetas. and other or
ganizations and individuals paid enormous
sums.
DAY OF GREAT ANXIETY.
1t has been a day of great anxiety. The
evening papers without exception. con-
slider the situation unchanged, notwith-
standing the recent conferences. They |
admit that Minister Wood
lords conduct Of the diplomatic negotia-I
ions is very friendly and that he is de-
'irous of peace. but the Spanish Gov
is reported as "unfiinchng and
opposed TO any, even friendly, interfe-
ence TO terminate the war, except
through it's own efforts"-a war which,
hey claim, is nearing the end, and is
laily crushing the rebellion"
Ell Epoca Conservative says: 1.-THE
queen Regent, presiding at the Cabinet
Ouncil to-day, encouraged her ministers
o continue their animated. patriotic SEN
iments toward maintaining national
lonor and territorial integrity"
There is anxious expectancy respect
ng the reply from Washington.
At the Cabinet council Senior Sagasta,
he Premier. explained with extreme pre-
islon all the details OF the conferences
nd negotiations. together with the state
f the country and existing conditions
which he regarded as necessary to the
Of a proper judgment.
NO CABINET CONCLUSION.
After four hours discussion the min
sters were still without solution, pro-
N biv because Senior SaRasta Judged IL I,
nopportune to take decision at the |