The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-04-20
THE QUEEN REGENTS SPEECH.
What Her Majesty VIII Say to the
COrtea To-Day.

LONDON. April 2O.-The Madrid corre-
spondent of the Standard, telegraphing
Tuesday, says: u understand the speech
from the throne will review the whole
course Of the relations between Spain and
the United States with view of showing
how Spain in her relations with America
and her treatment of the West Indian
colonies has spared no effort to make con-
cesslons and reforms compatible with her
rights, to conciiate her colonists and to
preserve friendly relations with America;
whereas, the United States have all along
persisted i'll seeking pretexts to interfere
in the purely domestic relations of spain
with her colonies and have persisted more
than ever since the advent to office OF
President Mckinley in menaces and diplo-
matte notes, trying to intervene in the set
tlement of the Cuban question.
so much so has this been the case, the
speech viii declare. that the United States
have constantly put obstacles in the way
of Spain when, by negotiations or military
efforts Spain has been on the point of paci-
flying Cuba. The speech from the throne
will point out that the Spanish government
has steadily resisted the American pre-
tensions while making all possible conces-
sions to America on other questions and
would have gone even further if America
had only undertaken to respect the right
and sovereignty of Spain in Cuba.
The document will lay stress upon
the fact that America has displayed
increased vrulence and hostility since
Spain granted suspension OF
hostiuties ut the request of the Pope and
the powers. 1t will make an earnest appeal
to the nation and to all parties to be true
to the national traditions, to gather around
the throne and to vote the supplies neces-
sary TO defend the honor and territory or
Spain.
''At the present moment Spain, though
essentially military nation, is bestoWlng
her chief attention upon naval preparations
because everybody fully comprehends that
in the struggle with the United States the
fate of Cuba and the duration of the war
will entirely depend on the respective ma
vies The Spanish minister of marine, Ad-
nairal Bermejo, is cautious man and has
done his best to push on the naval prepara-
tions within the means at his disposal. He
has been we'll assisted by the high officials
in his department and by the admirals COM
manding at the Ferrol, Cartagena and Ca
diz arsenals, who have made their staffs
and men work night and day to complete
the outfit and armament Of many vessels
The first available squadron is now at Cape
Verde, under Admiral Cerver, who went out
with the cruisers Infanta Maria Teresa and
the Cristobal Colon, and has been Joined
there by the cruisers Vizcaya and Almi
rante oquendo, with a view to protecting
the torpedo hotilla. This squadron is con-
sidered quite match for the flying
squadron of America, and may be ordered
to pay an unpleasant visit to North Amer
lean ports If war breaks out. a. second
squadron will be formed at Cadiz, where
Admiral Churruca, descendant of the
Spanish commander at Trafalgar, is busy
preparing the fleet. The idea Is to concen-
trate, as soon as they are ready, the battle
ships Pelaya, now at Cartagena; Empera-
dor Carlos V, now at Ferrol; Cardelal Cis-
neros and the Numancia and Victoria,
broadside ships; the cruisers Alfonso XIII
and Princess Mercedes; the torpedo cruiser
Maria Molina, three destroyers just re-
ceived from England, and three torpedo ves-
sels-which would make a respectable gath
ering.
Spain has in her merchant fleet and
coasting population large supply of able
seamen, all having served In the royal navy,
and strong force of marines, among them
three fine battalions just returned from
Hdru service IN the FnlllpplneS. Admiral
Bermeio like his predecessor, Admiral Ber-
engor, has paid special attention to making
use Of the fine large steamers offered by
the Compania Transatlantica mail line and
other firms as auxiliary cruisers, with crews
and officers from the royal navy and heavy
and quick-iring guns, which have already
been placed on the fourteen vessels Great
enthusiasm prevails in the arsenals and
among the searfaring population. In fact.
the minister of marine has received numer-
Gus applications for permission to equip
privateers, but no decision has yet been
taken in the matter. Spain will do exactly
what America does. The government would
much prefer to make use Of the auxiliary
cruisers commissioned as regular war ves-
sels."