The record-union., 1898-03-31
sPArN'S WAR PREPARATIONS.
Believed a Good Showing VIII be
Made IN Case Of q Conflict.

MADRID, March oU.--A severe Cell
sOrship is exercised to prevent the leak
age Of news as TO the naval NOV =
ments while the war preparations con-
/ tinuc With the greatest activity, ana
as far as possible the greatest secrecy.
The utmost efforts are being made
night and day to get the first-tlass
ironclads Pelayo and Carlos V COM
pleted, when it is regarded as certain
they win be dispatched with the crlIs-
ers Maria Teresa and Cristobal Colon
to join the ViZcaya and Almirante
OQuendoin Cuban waters. thus forming
a squadron Of six armored vessels,
against Americas seven.
The Marquis Corniallas President Of
the transatlantic Steamship Line TO
Cuba and South America who is an
ardent patriot, has daily conferences
with Senior Sagasta.
The Marquis Corniallas, Senor Emilio
Castelar, General Lopez Dominguez,
Secretary of War in Senor Sagaeta' 5
former Cabinet, and Monsignor Car
dena, Bishop of Zion, the Queen Re-
gents chaplain. are the leading spirits
in a movement for a national subscrip-
ton to bundl a Warship to be called
Second of Maya The original idea was
that every Spaniard should contribute
a days earnings on May ID the nlc-
tieth anniversary of the rising of the
people Of Madrid against French dom
nation toward the national defense.
The wave Of patriotism with the en-
rolment Of the volunteer corps is
spreading enthusiasm throughout the
the country. All seats have been sold
for to-mCrroW's opera performance, re-
alizing about 23,000 for the navy.
Performances are being arranged in
other cities. 1t is said that $40 900
was realized by the Havana perform
ance.
The Madrid papers allege that the
South American Republic have already
subscribed enough to build a Warship
to be called Rio de la Plata While
Mexico has sent huge donations The
Spanish army Will give q days pay
Orders have been sent to strengthen
the defenses at Manila and Porto Rico.
There is a good deal of comment upon
Americas purchase of twenty-three
heavy guns from the Armstrong;. and
it is alleged that both Spain and Japan
had previously refused them after d
trial
The impression of the press and the
public generally is that Spain viii be able
to make a good showing in the event Of
war although her men of war are
smaller than the Americans. She would
depend upon her greater strength in
torpedo boats, torpedo oatchers ana tor
pedo heat destroyers.
AT the Cabinet council tonight Senor
Capeepon, Minister of the Interior. ex-
planned the results of the elections, and
Senor Moret read a series OF important
documents relative to the situation of
no reconeentrados in Cuba, and the re-
of the efforts hitherto made for
relief
view Of these documents, Senor Mo-
b., proposed and the council approved
an open credit of three million l.esetas
to be placed at the disposal of General
Blanco by cable to be used in succoring
reconcentrados and to facilitate means
of work for these willing to return to
their homes, with the supply of necdful
advances to enable them r. till the
ground.
Senor Sagasta gave an account Of the
conference with Minister Woodford, and
stated Americas proposals, their
character ard significance. The Coun-
ciPs report will be submitted to the
Queen Recent.